The Early Middle Ages 476-1000

The Early Middle Ages In 476 A.D. Emperor Romulus Augustus fell from power when Rome was conquered by the Ostrogoths.   With the disappearance of the Roman Empire Europe will fall into a “Dark Age.”   A “Dark Age” is a period when cultural gains of a society are lost.    These “Dark Ages” will occur from 500 to 1000 A.D.   Gradually, Roman culture died out.

The Middle Ages The period following the collapse of the Roman Empire – between classical times and the modern era – is called the Middles Ages, or the medieval period. Medieval comes from the Latin word, Medius, meaning “middle,” and aevum, meaning “age.”    This period is generally considered to have lasted form about the year 500 to about 1500.

Frankish Rulers Govern Europe When the Roman Empire fell apart in the 400’s, Western Europe descended into anarchy and confusion.   Government nearly ceased to exist, and invaders roamed about almost at will.    Various Germanic tribes migrated across Europe.     These tribes set up kingdoms, but they did not create strong governments.     The invaders were usually a small group ruling a much larger population by military force.    Some Germanic tribes will eventually play a greater role in Europe.     The Franks will be one of these influential tribes.

Clovis and the Merovingians   In 481, a ruler of great ability, Clovis, Became king of one of the Frankish tribes.     Clovis and his successors were called Merovingians because they traced their ancestry back to a man named Merovig.     Clovis was brutal, cruel, and without conscience, but an excellent military leader.    Under his command his people conquered the other Frankish tribes and soon controlled all northern Gaul.    A few years after Clovis became king of the Franks, an important event took place.

Clovis and Christianity     A few years after becoming king, Clovis had a series of military defeats.     He made an agreement with his Christian wife that he should pray to her god and if he won his next battle he would convert to Christianity.     Clovis won his next battle, and along with his 3,000 soldiers he converted to Christianity.     Because he became a Christian, he gained the support of the Christian Church in Rome.    Clovis ended up ruling much of what is modern day France.    Upon his death his kingdom was divided among all of his sons, as was their custom.

The “Do Nothing Kings” Later Merovingian kings only thought of luxuries and personal pleasures. These kings became known as the “Do Nothing Kings.” These kings left the business of running the government to various palace officials.     The official known as the “Mayor of the Palace” actually ran the government.

The “Mayor of the Palace” In 700 AD, the Mayor of the Palace, Pepin the Elder, made his position hereditary.   His successors were Frankish kings in all but name.   Pepin was followed by his son, Charles Martel.   In 732, he gained the name of “Charles the Hammer”, for defeating the Moslems at the Battle of Tours.   When Charles died in 741, his son, Pepin the Short inherited a large and powerful kingdom.

Pepin the Short Pepin wished to be king, so he looked to the Pope in Rome for advice.   The Pope replied that the man with the power should be king.    In 751, Pepin was elected king by the Frankish nobles, ending the Merovingian dynasty. Three years later, Pepin was crowned by the Pope, “King by the grace of God.”

The “Donation of Pepin”   In exchange for his support, the Pope asked Pepin to help him against the invading Lombards who were threatening Rome.    Pepin defeated the Lombards and his his “Donation of Pepin” gave the Pope the lands surrounding Rome.    These lands were known as the “Papal States.”    Pepin died having two sons, Carloman and Charles.     Carloman soon died without an heir and Charles inherited the entire kingdom.    Charles is claimed as a national hero by both the Franks and the Germans.

Charlemagne Charles will become known by different names throughout Europe.    Karl de Grosse (Ger.)    Carolus Magnus (Latin)     Charles the Great (Britain)    Charlemagne (France)    Charlemagne, who ruled the Franks for 40 years is one of the outstanding men in history.    He had little education, but was highly intelligent and was also very religious.    He spent most of his time at war, defeating the Avars, Saxons, Lombards and Moslems in Spain.

Reign of Charlemagne   By the end of Charlemagne’s reign his kingdom included most of Western Europe.   On Christmas Day, in 800 AD, he was crowned by the Pope Leo III as “Emperor of the Romans.”    For the first time in almost 400 years Europe was somewhat united and Charlemagne was considered a successor of the Roman emperors.    His coronation also showed the importance of the ties between the Franks and the Church in Rome.

Reign of Charlemagne By the end of Charlemagne’s reign his kingdom included most of Western Europe. On Christmas Day, in 800 AD, he was crowned by the Pope Leo III as “Emperor of the Romans.” For the first time in almost 400 years Europe was somewhat united and Charlemagne was considered a successor of the Roman emperors. His coronation also showed the importance of the ties between the Franks and the Church in Rome.

Charlemagne’s Empire    Charlemagne’s empire was divided into districts with each being governed by a count.     Each count administered the laws of the district and raised an army for Charlemagne.    Charlemagne established his capital at the city of Aachen.   Taxes were low since the expenses of the government were low.    Charlemagne was greatly interested in education.    He established a “Palace School” at his court to teach his children and those of his officials.

Alcuim   Learned men from all over the kingdom were invited to teach at his school.   One of the most famous of these men was Alcuim of York.    Alcuim set up a curriculum based upon Latin studies and became the center of learning for Europe.    Studies included rhetoric, grammar, logic, astronomy, music and geometry.   Bishops were ordered to begin libraries by copying Latin manuscripts and to organize schools.   Any children with ability were given the chance to attend.

Death of Charlemagne Death of Charlemagne Only through Charlemagne’s power was he able to keep his empire united. The local counts had to be watched constantly. Upon his death, the empire fell into the control of his only son, Louis the Pious. Louis was very religious, but a very poor ruler. Upon his death, the kingdom was divided among his three sons. After some quarreling, they agreed to a settlement known as the Treaty of Verdun.

The Treaty of Verdun The treaty would divide the kingdom into three parts.   Charles the Bald – present day France     Louis the German – modern day Germany     Lothair – received a narrow strip from the North Sea to Italy.

End of the Empire Charlemagne’s descendants were incompetent rulers. Future invasions