Western Europe in the early Middle Ages

The End of the Roman Empire The Germans lived in tribes led by chieftains in military system called the Comitatus In 476 with a German as emperor the Western Empire ends, beginning the Middle Ages (Medieval in Latin) With the end of the Western Roman Empire the people of Europe enter into a “Dark Ages” The German chieftain, Odoacer, became emperor in 476

Western Europe in the Early Middle Ages

The Franks Under Clovis the Franks conquer all of Gaul Clovis will divide the land he conquerors into smaller parts that will be ruled by counts or dukes He will combine German laws with the Roman legal system

EUROPE in 476 AD (Land of German Emperor ) (Lombards) (Jutes) (relative of former Roman Governor of Gaul)

Clovis will defeat: The Romans in Gaul The Alamanni The Visigoths

Clovis and Catholicism After winning a battle in which he almost lost, Clovis vowed to convert to Catholicism Clovis will be baptized by the pope and will fight Arian Christian tribes After his death, the Frankish Empire will be run by his relatives who lose power to Mayors of the Palace

The Carolingians Charles Martel, “The Hammer,” stops the Muslim invasion of Europe at the Battle of Tours in Spain He will support St. Boniface’s missionary work among the Germans Under his leadership most Germans convert from Arianism to Catholicism

Pepin ended the rule of the Merovingian With the pope’s support he will be crowned King of the Franks In return he defends the pope from the Lombards and gives the pope land The Donation of Pepin creates the Papal States Pepin the Short

Charlemagne Expands the Frankish Empire to its greatest size He fights wars against: 1.The LombardsLombards 2.The Saxons for over 30 years 3.The Muslims in Spain creating the Spanish March; “The Song of Roland” comes from this campaign

Ruling the Holy Roman Empire To run the empire Charlemagne divides the land up into counties run by counts who are to protect the land from their manors To ensure that his orders were being followed and that there was justice in his empire Charlemagne created the Missi Dominici (the King’s Messengers) One nobleman and one bishop traveled the empire and made sure justice was met and the borders were safe from invasion

Charlemagne will be crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III Charlemagne increases the power of the pope and demands that a tax be paid annually to the church (10% of one’s income = a tithe)

Alcuin of York The Carolingian Renaissance Charlemagne built churches and monasteries which will be centers of learning Alcuin of York will be hired to run a school for the children of nobles at Aachen Given many libraries had been destroyed due to war Charlemagne will order the monks to make copies of books, especially of the ancient Greeks and Romans

“He also tried to write, and used to keep tablets and blanks in bed under his pillow, that at leisure hours he might accustom his hand to form the letters; however, as he did not begin his efforts in due season, but late in life, they met with ill success.”—from Einhardt (biographer of Charlemagne) Charlemagne could not read or write, but did try to learn. Unusual for a king of his time.

Germanic people Conquered modern France and Germany Clovis– first King of all FRANKS, converted to Christianity in 481 Gave church 10% tax, called a tithe Used Missi Dominici to kept order in his kingdom Made Aachen a center of learning Kingdom divided into three parts after Charlemagne’s death Division weakened empire’s unity Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims invaded God himself has made me king. I crown you Holy Roman Emperor Crowned HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR by the Pope He prevented Muslims from expanding into Europe. He brutally put down a Saxon revolt and forced them to convert to Catholicism Charlemagne’s Rise to Power

Lifestyle was based on the sea. Vikings were pirates. To go “a-viking” meant to go on an overseas adventure. Men and women wore long hair. Married women were respected. Government: tribal units ruled by jarls Values: Culture of war --> blood feuds were common Education was not important Religion: worshipped many gods by crop and animal sacrifices Raided coastal villages throughout Europe, plundering, killing, burning and taking possessions. Lack of FARMLAND so needed to move! Europe was weak after Charlemagne’s empire fell apart. Viking longships and weaponry intimidated people of Europe. Vikings were experienced sailors, traders and explorers. NORWAY DENMARK We can not stop the Viking raids without a strong central government Viking power of intimidation kept Europe in a state of terror. Europeans looked to local lords to protect them. These raids contributed to the development of feudalism. Viking culture influenced some aspects of life in Europe.

Flag of Sweden Flag of Iceland Flag of Norway Flag of Denmark Flag of England Flag of Scotland City flag of Philadelphia People of which country founded Philadelphia? What religion do the Vikings eventually convert to?

Suggested Routes of the Vikings 2005 CE Believed Migration of Vikings in America

Divided the empire among his three sons Was Charlemagne’s son A wise and just ruler who issued many laws Created a large empire Helped the Pope become the ruler of the Italian Peninsula First Frankish king to be anointed by Pope Known as “the Hammer” Led the Franks to victory at the Battle of Tours Eventually brought all Franks under one rule Was a good general and able king

Franks Muslims Vikings Anglo- Saxons Papal States Magyars In the Early Middle Ages