1. Eor Nave World History Period 5

2.  The weakened defense of the old Roman borders cleared the path for Germanic speaking groups to invade Europe.

3.  The geography of Western Europe  Most of the land of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages was covered with thick forest.  There were large rivers that were easy for trading ships to navigate and were full of fish.  The sturdy Roman roads, which had once been the pride of a powerful empire, were now badly in need of repair.

4.  The people of the Middle Ages in Europe  The people of the northern Europe did not share the culture or the Latin language of the Romans.  These people, often in organized groups, spoke Germanic languages with words from Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.  Germanic peoples lived in small groups of farmers and herders. herders

5.  Charlemagne was crowned Roman emperor, ruler of a large empire in Western Europe. Charlemagne

6.  Uniting the Franks  Around, Clovis was able to unite several of the Frankish groups.  After Clovis conquered Gaul in 496,he converted to Christianity.  He made allies with the remaining leaders of Rome and of the powerful Roman Catholic

7.  The rise of the Charlemagne  During the first ten years of Charlemagne’s rule, he conquered the Lombard Kingdom in present day Northern Italy, fought against the Saxons in Northern Europe and, invaded Spain.  By the end of this period, he had united under him the largest region since the fall of Rome.  He improved culture, education, and law within his kingdom.

8.  A Christian king  Charlemagne had his priests perform baptisms on the populations of the entire city.  He also demanded strict punishment for anyone who practiced other religions.  The Popes rival was the emperor on Constantinople, who claimed to be sole ruler over all Roman territories.

9.  Charlemagne’s rule encouraged culture and learning to develop in Western Europe.

10.  Schools And Learning  Charlemagne wanted to foster culture and reading.  He could read, but he could not Write.  Alcuin arrived in 782 and organized a school in the palace for the children of Charlemagne and other nobles.

11.  Culture Culture  Charlemagne’s interest in learning led to a revival, or renewed interest, in the cultures of Rome and Greece.  Most books were produced by monks and were handwritten copies of the Bible And other books on early Christianity.  As interest in learning grew and expanded, the monks were also introduced to make copies of works by ancient Roman authors.

12.  The Decline Of Charlemagne’s Empire  With Charlemagne’s death on 814, the empire he had built went into slow decline.  In 842, after 30 years of conflict, his three grandsons signed the Treaty of Verdun.  This treaty divided Charlemagne’s empire into three kingdoms, the lack of leadership allowed invaders to conquer large parts of the kingdom.

13.  One who tends or drives a herd.

14.  The quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

15.  742–814, king of the Franks 768–814 as Charles I, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 800–814.