1. Charlemagne and the Franks
Give me three reasons for the fall of the Roman empire ?

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

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

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

5. 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.
It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning.

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

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

8. 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.

9. Charlemagne
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 gave land to his nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service.

10. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy
Roman Emperor”.

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

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

13. 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
Monks- separates himself from the ordinary human life
Living your life this way in known as Monasticism
St. Benedict founded the1st community of Monks

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

15. 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.
Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service spread throughout Western Europe.

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

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