Medieval Age 500-1000 AD or CE Dark Ages? Middle Ages
Dark? Combo of Greco-Roman, Germanic, and Christian
Germanic Kingdoms prosper Farmers/Herders No cities No written laws Kings elected by tribal council – warriors swore allegiance Franks
King Clovis Conquered Gaul - France Converted to Christianity Why? Allied with Pope Support of people
Charles Martel – The Hammer Coolest nickname ever!
Battle of Tours One of the most important battles in history Was God on their side? What would the repercussions have been had he not won? Christians stopped the Muslim advance into Western Europe Charles gets rid of 2 enemies in the process
CHARLEMAGNE – CHARLES THE GREAT Grandson to the Hammer Fought many wars that reunited western Europe Muslims, Avars, Slavs, Lombards
Pope Leo crowns Charlemagne king United Christian Kingdom – Christendom Creates power struggle between popes and Germanic emperors Why? Eastern empire – Constantinople furious Make sure you read page 216 and understand the implications
Missi Dominici Charlemagne – appointed nobles as rulers to govern distant lands Missi Dominici - officials Sent to check if justice was carried out, roads, listened to grievances
Importance of learning Charlemagne could not read or write, but he created many local schools Have we learned this from Charlemagne? Why is keeping accurate records and reports important?
Legacy Blended different groups Christendom throughout the region Set up efficient governments Sons in Treaty of Verdun – split the empire
Vikings Leif Ericson Invaders from Scandinavia Destroyed last bits of unity in Charlemagne’s Europe Built colony in America around 1000 When did Columbus discover America?
Power of the Vikings “The Northmen [Vikings] came to Paris with 700 sailing ships. . . . the Seine was lined with vessels for more than two leagues [six miles]. . . . [Viking leader] Siegfred . . . came to the dwelling of the illustrious bishop. He bowed his head and said: ‘Gauzelin, have compassion on yourself and your flock. We beseech you to listen to us, in order that you may escape death. Allow us only the freedom of the city. We will do no harm and we will see to it that whatever belongs . . . to you . . . shall be strictly respected. . . . [I]f you do not listen to my demand, on the morrow our war machines will destroy you with poisoned arrows. You will be prey of famine and of pestilence and these evils will renew themselves perpetually every year.’ So saying he departed and gathered together his comrades.”
Page 217 do map skills 1-3 and Looking at the map: If the Battle of Tours had gone differently what would have been the process of a Muslim take over?