Charlemagne and the Franks Bell Ringer: 3/5/13 Give me three reasons for the fall of the Roman empire ?

The fall of Rome brought many important changes to Western Europe.

Effects of the Fall of Rome Germanic tribes took over Roman lands. Germanic tribes took over Roman lands. Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe. Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe. Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes. Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes. Kingdoms were always at war with one another. Kingdoms were always at war with one another. People lost interest in learning. People lost interest in learning.

Warfare increased. Trade decreased. The “Dark Ages” began.

The “Dark Ages” Historians call the period following the fall of Rome the “Dark Ages.” Historians call the period following the fall of Rome the “Dark Ages.” Formerly, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages. Formerly, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages. It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning. It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning.

Clovis was an important king of the Franks. The Franks were one of the largest Germanic tribes.

Clovis and the Franks In A.D. 481, Clovis united the Franks and became their king. In A.D. 481, Clovis united the Franks and became their king. Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic faith. Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic faith. Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic and Roman cultural practices. Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic and Roman cultural practices.

Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He conquered a vast empire and tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire.

Charlemagne Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire. Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768 A.D. He tried to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire. He conquered a vast empire and was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III. He conquered a vast empire and was proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Leo III. He gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service. He gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service.

Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”.

During his reign, Charlemagne tried to recreate the Roman Empire. However, after his death, the empire declined.

Germanic Life and Society A. Germans and Romans intermarried and created a new society in which German customs had an important role. – –The extended family was the center of German society. – –They worked the land together and protected each other in violent times. B. The German concept of the family affected crime and punishment. Murder – –Germanic law was personal. One person injuring another often led to a savage blood feud. C. A system using a fine called a wergild (“money for a man”) developed to avoid bloodshed after crimes such as murder. – –The wrongdoer paid the injured party’s family a set amount of money, which varied by social status. D. The ordeal was one Germanic way of determining guilt. – –The practice was based on the belief that the gods would not let an innocent person be punished. – –If the accused unharmed after a physical trial (ordeal), he or she was presumed innocent.

The Role of the Church Organization of the Church Organization of the Church Parishes (communities) they were headed by a priest Parishes (communities) they were headed by a priest A group of Parishes were headed by a bishop A group of Parishes were headed by a bishop This was all under the control of an Archbishop. This was all under the control of an Archbishop. Later the Bishop of Rome became the Pope meaning “papa” father Later the Bishop of Rome became the Pope meaning “papa” father

The Role of the Church Gregory the I –strengthened the role of the church in by being the head of the Roman church and Rome its self Gregory the I –strengthened the role of the church in by being the head of the Roman church and Rome its self Monks- separates himself from the ordinary human life Monks- separates himself from the ordinary human life Living your life this way in known as Monasticism Living your life this way in known as Monasticism St. Benedict founded the1st community of Monks St. Benedict founded the1st community of Monks

The Role of the Church He wrote rules that the Monks live by. He wrote rules that the Monks live by. Head monk is an abbot Head monk is an abbot They sent monks on Missionaries all over Europe to spread Christianity They sent monks on Missionaries all over Europe to spread Christianity Nuns were the female equivalent of Monks Nuns were the female equivalent of Monks Head nun was an abbess. Head nun was an abbess.

The Rise of Feudalism While Charlemagne’s descendants were not able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, the Franks did greatly affect life in the Middle Ages. While Charlemagne’s descendants were not able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire, the Franks did greatly affect life in the Middle Ages. Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe. Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe.

Life during the Middle Ages was based on a series of exchanges. Lesser Lords obeyed more powerful Lords in exchange for land.

Questions for Reflection: Why did historians call the early Middle Ages the “Dark Ages”? Why did historians call the early Middle Ages the “Dark Ages”? Who was Clovis and how did his conversion affect the Franks? Who was Clovis and how did his conversion affect the Franks? Why did Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”? Why did Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor”? Define feudalism. Define feudalism. How is feudalism different from other political systems? How is feudalism different from other political systems?