How might the study of medieval Europe affect our thinking about the world today? In other words, why do we study medieval Europe? Why does it even matter? How might the study of medieval Europe affect our thinking about the world today? In other words, why do we study medieval Europe? Why does it even matter?

A New Western Empire Refer to Pages

Guiding Questions: What post-Roman Empire political conditions led to the rise of the Carolingian Empire? What factors led to its disintegration, setting the stage for the feudal system? What post-Roman Empire political conditions led to the rise of the Carolingian Empire? What factors led to its disintegration, setting the stage for the feudal system?

Clovis I “ King of the Franks ” “ King of the Franks ” Conversion to Christianity Conversion to Christianity Supported by the Roman Church - alliance Supported by the Roman Church - alliance

Merovingian House “ Do-Nothing Kings ” “ Do-Nothing Kings ” Descendents of Clovis I Descendents of Clovis I Mayors of the palace Mayors of the palace Pepin II Pepin II Defeated the others Defeated the others Reunited Frankish territory Reunited Frankish territory Separate ruling “ lineage ” Separate ruling “ lineage ” Grandson, Pepin the Short took over rule as “ king ” Grandson, Pepin the Short took over rule as “ king ” Carolingian House Carolingian House

Donation of Pepin Lombard threat Lombard threat Papal states Papal states Pope becomes ruler in European politics Pope becomes ruler in European politics

Empire of Charlemagne Carloman and Charles Carloman and Charles Charles = Greatest Carolingian king Charles = Greatest Carolingian king “ Charlemagne ” “ Charlemagne ”

Strong Strong Tall Tall Stately Stately Dignified Dignified Abhorred drunkenness Abhorred drunkenness Beheaded his prisoners in cold blood Beheaded his prisoners in cold blood Divorced and remarried many times Divorced and remarried many times Charlemagne

Charlemagne ’ s Conquests United much of Europe United much of Europe Rescued Rome (again) Rescued Rome (again) Defeated Avars Defeated Avars Drove back the Spanish Muslims Drove back the Spanish Muslims Created administrative districts Created administrative districts Foundation of modern Germany, France, and Italy Foundation of modern Germany, France, and Italy

Pope crowns Charlemagne and proclaims him as Roman Emperor! Revived the idea of another Roman Empire Revived the idea of another Roman Empire Raises a serious question: Raises a serious question: Whose authority is supreme—the state’s or the church ’ s? Whose authority is supreme—the state’s or the church ’ s? This struggle will continue throughout the Middle Ages This struggle will continue throughout the Middle Ages

Carolingian Renaissance Charlemagne loved to learn; royal court at Aix- la-Chapelle became leading center of learning Charlemagne loved to learn; royal court at Aix- la-Chapelle became leading center of learning Became concerned with better-educated clergy Became concerned with better-educated clergy Emphasis on education renewed interest in the Bible and in classical literature Emphasis on education renewed interest in the Bible and in classical literature Monasteries as libraries, universities Monasteries as libraries, universities

Disintegration of Charlemagne ’ s Empire Domestic Problems: Domestic Problems: Civil war after Louis the Pious Civil war after Louis the Pious Treaty of Verdun Treaty of Verdun Charles the Bald = West Frankland Charles the Bald = West Frankland Louis the German = East Frankland Louis the German = East Frankland Lothair = Central Kingdom Lothair = Central Kingdom

Disintegration of Charlemagne ’ s Empire International Problems: International Problems: Saracens (Muslims) Saracens (Muslims) Magyars Magyars Vikings Vikings