1. FROM THE FALL OF ROME TO CHARLEMAGNE
GERMANIC KINGDOMS, CHARLEMAGNE,
VIKINGS AND OTHER INVADERS

2. Kingdom of the Franks
After the fall of Rome, the Western Roman Empire became a number of states ruled by German kings
The only kingdom to last long was the kingdom of the Franks
Established in Gaul (modern France) in the late 400s by Clovis – Merovingian family
He converted to Christianity around 500 when his troops won a difficult battle
First Germanic ruler to do so
This conversion won Clovis the support of the Roman Catholic Church
Following Frankish custom, his kingdom was divided among his sons after he died

3. .

5. Different view of law
Roman system – murder is a crime against the state, not the person
Germanic law – murder is a personal crime, could lead to a blood feud

6. Wergild – “money for a man” – a system using a fine was developed to avoid bloodshed after crimes such as murder
Injured party’s family was paid a set amount of money (varied by social status)
Ordeal – one way of determining guilt, based on a belief that the gods would not let an innocent person be punished
If the accused was unharmed after a physical trial, they are presumed innocent

7. Merovingian Family
Clovis = Clotilda Theuderic I Chlodomer Childebert I Chlothar I 3 sons Sigibert I Gunthram I Charibert I Chilperic I = Brunhilda = Galswintha = Fredegund Childebert II Chlothar II 2 stepchildren Samson Theudebert II Theuderic II Rigunth Sigibert II Dagobert I

8. One of these mayors was Charles Martel and he led the forces who defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours (732), which stopped the spread of Islam into Europe
Charles earned the nickname Martel, which means “hammer” for his military skills and victories

9. Charlemagne
Charlemagne, which means “Charles the Great” ruled from 768 – 814
Strong warrior and statesman, and a devout Christian
Many historians consider him one of the most important leaders in European history
Unified Europe for the first time since the fall of Rome
Expanded the Frankish kingdom – Carolingian Empire

10. Became the most powerful Christian leader when in 800 he was crowned as Emperor of the Roman People
Restored the pope back to power after he had been run out of Rome
The pope thanked Charlemagne by making him a Roman emperor
The title implied that Charlemagne had restored the glory of the Roman Empire in Europe – idea of an enduring Roman empire
Charlemagne’s rule had the full backing of the church and God
Charlemagne promoted learning which he led to the Carolingian Renaissance
Renaissance = a rebirth of learning and culture
It was a renewed interest in Latin culture and classical works of the Greeks and Romans

12. Government structure
Charlemagne established a permanent capital, which other Frankish kings had not done
Chose officials called counts to rule parts of the empire in his name

15. Counts were bound by oath to obey Charlemagne and in return they were granted large tracts of land
Charlemagne worked closely with the church to create a unified Christian empire
He ordered the people he conquered to convert to Christianity under the penalty of death
Sent monks to live among the conquered people
Developed a written legal code

16. Invaders
The relative peace of Charlemagne brought to western Europe did not last long
Invaders came from many directions
Magyars
Invaded from the east, originally from central Asia
Fierce warriors and skilled horsemen

17. Muslims Invaded from the south
In the 700s the Muslims crossed over from northern Africa and conquered Spain, which they would rule for the next 700 years
Muslim Spain was mostly a land of tolerance, where Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived in peace
800s and 900s, the Muslims decided to raid instead of invading
Raided southern France, Italy, and even sacked Rome
Muslim pirates attacked ships sailing the Mediterranean

18. The Vikings The fiercest warriors were the Vikings
Also known as Norsemen or the Northmen
Came from Scandinavia – countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden
Viking Raids
Great shipbuilders and sailors, ships could carry crews of 100 and could cross the ocean

19. Viking raids were quick and devastating
There was no warning before a Viking attack
Fast-moving ships allowed the Vikings to reach their targets quickly
Could sail upriver to attack inland
They killed or captured anyone in their way, took what they wanted, and sailed away
First targets of Viking raids were England and northern France, but were soon far-reaching
They even attacked Russia and Baghdad
Among the Vikings’ favorite targets were monasteries

21. Viking Settlements
One of the first places settled by the Vikings was Iceland, followed years later by Greenland
Vikings under the command of Leif Eriksson even reached North America, settling on the eastern shore of Canada
They were the first Europeans to reach North America
One king of France, tired of the Viking raids, made a deal with a Viking chief named Rollo
In return for no more raiding and even defending France against other Vikings, the Vikings would be given land
This area would become known as Normandy, or the land of the Northmen

23. The threat of these invaders and the lack of a strong central government led to a new political and social system as people turned to local landed aristocrats to protect them - Feudalism