1. Aim: Did the early Middle Ages deserve to be called the Dark Ages?
Period 3

2. I What were the Middle Ages?
A) The Middle Ages was the time between the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 CE) and the beginning of the Renaissance (15th century). This was a time of weak government, and a reduction in trade and literacy. B) At the same time as medieval Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire in the east was continuing the legacy of the Roman Empire.
Early Middle Ages 476 CE – 1000 CE
High Middle Ages CE – 1300 CE
Late Middle Ages CE – Renaissance (14th century)

3. The Development of Latin
In the Middle Ages, Latin developed into early forms of the Romance languages that we are familiar with today; French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Romanian. Languages that are spoken every day are known as vernacular.
Latin
French
Spanish
Romanian
Italian
Portuguese

5. II Rise of the Franks
A) After the “fall” of western Rome, small Germanic kingdoms took over Western Europe. Loyalty to local chiefs. *Custom to divide inheritance among ALL sons. B) Clovis ( ) united several Frankish (Germanic) tribes in post-Roman Gaul, and founded the Merovingian dynasty. Converted to Christianity. His kingdom became a blend of Roman and Germanic cultures.
The father of Clovis had fought alongside the ancient Romans against the Huns! On the right is the baptism of Clovis.

6. Germanic Kingdoms Continued…
D) Charles Martel “The Hammer” (688 – 741 CE) was a descendent of Clovis. In October 732 Charles defeated the Moors (Spanish Muslims), temporarily checking their expansion. E) Pepin III “The Short” was the son of Charles Martel, first King of the Carolingian Dynasty, and the first Frankish ruler to be anointed King of France by the Church.
Charles Martel “The Hammer”
Pepin III “The Short”

7. III Charlemagne A) Charlemagne, son of Pepin III, ruled 768 – 814 CE.
B) He worked to build a “new Rome”.
782 Charlemagne ordered the slaughter of 4,500 Saxons (pagan Germans). He forced the Saxons to convert to Christianity or be put to death.
Charlemagne served as a source of inspiration for such leaders as Napoleon Bonaparte ( ) and Adolf Hitler ( ), who had visions of ruling a unified Europe.

8. 1725 statue of Charlemagne, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

10. Charlemagne Continued…
C) Charlemagne tried to recreate a centralized government by dividing his empire into counties, each governed by a Count, and each with their own Bishop.
Charlemagne had 4 wives, at least 6 concubines, and at least 17 children.
Charlemagne’s Castle at Aachen

11. Charlemagne Continued…
D) He brought in foreign scholars to build schools. Subjects were taught in Latin, not vernacular languages. Scholars copied and preserved ancient Greek and Roman texts. *Many Franks resisted, as they did not believe literacy was beneficial to a warrior lifestyle.
Primary Source on Charlemagne by Einhard, His Friend
He [Charlemagne] most zealously cultivated the liberal arts… and conferred great honors upon them... The King spent much time and labor with him studying rhetoric [the art of public speaking]… and especially astronomy… and used to investigate the motions of the heavenly bodies most curiously, with an intelligent scrutiny. 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.

12. Charlemagne Continued…
E) He tried to conquer the Moors (Spanish Muslims) but failed. He DID force them across the Pyrenees [mountains that separate Spain & France]. *Created a buffer zone between Christian and Muslim Europe. F) Charlemagne’s Empire had required military service. His men fought with whatever weapons they owned. *This was not an organized and well trained army like that of ancient Rome. G) Christmas Day 800 CE Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne and declared him “Emperor of the Romans”. His Empire became known as the Holy Roman Empire. Pope Leo III did this to form an alliance with Charlemagne against the Byzantine Empire, and as a thank you for Charlemagne’s military & financial support.

13. The Song of Roland
The Song of Roland was an epic poem c.1100 CE. The poem is about Roland, a fearless warrior who fights the Saracens (Christianized word for Muslims) for Charlemagne. In the story, the Muslims far outnumbered the Franks, so Charlemagne asked God for help, and won the battle. In reality, the battle took place between the Franks and the Basques, and the Franks LOST. *It is the oldest surviving piece of French literature.
The heathens said, “We were born to shame. This day for our disaster came:
Our lords and leaders in battle lost…
We hear the trumpets of France ring out…
Hurl we our missiles, and hold aloof.”…
They flung, with all their strength and craft,
Javelin, barb, and plumèd shaft.
Roland’s buckler was torn and frayed…
Yet entrance none to his flesh they made...
Then from the field have the heathen flown
Roland remaineth, on foot, alone.

14. IV Death of Charlemagne
A) Charlemagne died in 814 CE of an unknown illness. His empire passed to his son Louis the Pious. When Louis died in 843, due to Frankish custom, the Treaty of Verdun split the Empire among his 3 sons. B) Soon after the Empire lost power due to Muslims and Viking invasions. C) The Holy Roman Empire was revived by Otto I in 962 CE. It lasted until 1806!

15. V Charlemagne’s Legacy
He did not succeed in reconquering all of the former Roman Empire.
He did create a Carolingian Renaissance; a bright spot within the middle ages.
His crowning by the Pope cemented ties but also spurred conflict of power between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Church.

17. Focus Questions
Begin to fill in your Period 3 civilization chart for medieval western Europe. *Keep in mind that we will be discussing this topic for 1-2 weeks, so stick to what you think is the most important.
What were the main accomplishments (according to western European Christians) of Clovis, Charles Martel, Pepin III, and Charlemagne? *When discussing Charlemagne, use evidence from his biography by Einhard.
How did the relationship between the Church and Frankish kings evolve during this period? Do you think this helped or hurt western Europe?
4. Voltaire, an Enlightenment philosopher said the following about the Holy Roman Empire: "This agglomeration which was called and which still calls itself the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire." Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain in 1-2 paragraphs.

18. Charlemagne’s Church at Aachen
Key Vocabulary
Buffer Zone Carolingians Charlemagne Charles Martel Clovis Franks Holy Roman Empire Merovingians Moors Pepin III Pope Leo III Romance Languages Song of Roland Treaty of Verdun Vernacular
Charlemagne’s Church at Aachen