FROM THE FALL OF ROME TO CHARLEMAGNE GERMANIC KINGDOMS, CHARLEMAGNE, VIKINGS AND OTHER INVADERS

Kingdom of the Franks After the fall of Rome, the Western Roman Empire became a number of states ruled by German kings The only kingdom to last long was the kingdom of the Franks Established in Gaul (modern France) in the late 400s by Clovis – Merovingian family He converted to Christianity around 500 when his troops won a difficult battle First Germanic ruler to do so This conversion won Clovis the support of the Roman Catholic Church Following Frankish custom, his kingdom was divided among his sons after he died

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Different view of law Roman system – murder is a crime against the state, not the person Germanic law – murder is a personal crime, could lead to a blood feud

Wergild – “money for a man” – a system using a fine was developed to avoid bloodshed after crimes such as murder Injured party’s family was paid a set amount of money (varied by social status) Ordeal – one way of determining guilt, based on a belief that the gods would not let an innocent person be punished If the accused was unharmed after a physical trial, they are presumed innocent

Merovingian Family Clovis = Clotilda Theuderic I Chlodomer Childebert I Chlothar I 3 sons Sigibert I Gunthram I Charibert I Chilperic I = Brunhilda = Galswintha = Fredegund Childebert II Chlothar II 2 stepchildren Samson Theudebert II Theuderic II Rigunth Sigibert II Dagobert I

One of these mayors was Charles Martel and he led the forces who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours (732), which stopped the spread of Islam into Europe Charles earned the nickname Martel, which means “hammer” for his military skills and victories

Charlemagne Charlemagne, which means “Charles the Great” ruled from 768 – 814 Strong warrior and statesman, and a devout Christian Many historians consider him one of the most important leaders in European history Unified Europe for the first time since the fall of Rome Expanded the Frankish kingdom – Carolingian Empire

Became the most powerful Christian leader when in 800 he was crowned as Emperor of the Roman People Restored the pope back to power after he had been run out of Rome The pope thanked Charlemagne by making him a Roman emperor The title implied that Charlemagne had restored the glory of the Roman Empire in Europe – idea of an enduring Roman empire Charlemagne’s rule had the full backing of the church and God Charlemagne promoted learning which he led to the Carolingian Renaissance Renaissance = a rebirth of learning and culture It was a renewed interest in Latin culture and classical works of the Greeks and Romans

Government structure Charlemagne established a permanent capital, which other Frankish kings had not done Chose officials called counts to rule parts of the empire in his name

Counts were bound by oath to obey Charlemagne and in return they were granted large tracts of land Charlemagne worked closely with the church to create a unified Christian empire He ordered the people he conquered to convert to Christianity under the penalty of death Sent monks to live among the conquered people Developed a written legal code

Invaders The relative peace of Charlemagne brought to western Europe did not last long Invaders came from many directions Magyars Invaded from the east, originally from central Asia Fierce warriors and skilled horsemen

Muslims Invaded from the south In the 700s the Muslims crossed over from northern Africa and conquered Spain, which they would rule for the next 700 years Muslim Spain was mostly a land of tolerance, where Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived in peace 800s and 900s, the Muslims decided to raid instead of invading Raided southern France, Italy, and even sacked Rome Muslim pirates attacked ships sailing the Mediterranean

The Vikings The fiercest warriors were the Vikings Also known as Norsemen or the Northmen Came from Scandinavia – countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden Viking Raids Great shipbuilders and sailors, ships could carry crews of 100 and could cross the ocean

Viking raids were quick and devastating There was no warning before a Viking attack Fast-moving ships allowed the Vikings to reach their targets quickly Could sail upriver to attack inland They killed or captured anyone in their way, took what they wanted, and sailed away First targets of Viking raids were England and northern France, but were soon far-reaching They even attacked Russia and Baghdad Among the Vikings’ favorite targets were monasteries

Viking Settlements One of the first places settled by the Vikings was Iceland, followed years later by Greenland Vikings under the command of Leif Eriksson even reached North America, settling on the eastern shore of Canada They were the first Europeans to reach North America One king of France, tired of the Viking raids, made a deal with a Viking chief named Rollo In return for no more raiding and even defending France against other Vikings, the Vikings would be given land This area would become known as Normandy, or the land of the Northmen

The threat of these invaders and the lack of a strong central government led to a new political and social system as people turned to local landed aristocrats to protect them - Feudalism