2. Dates of the Middle Ages Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000 High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250 Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500

3. In the early middle ages, Germanic tribes established their own kingdoms: Angles and Saxons in England Visigoths in Spain Lombards in Northern Italy Franks took Gaul (present-day France)

4. Charles Martel united the Franks. 732: Martel stopped the advance of Islam from Spain into France at the Battle of Tours. The Franks established the largest of the new Germanic kingdoms in what is now France.  Clovis: King of the Franks, conquered Gaul and then converted to Christianity in 486, the religion of the people in Gaul. By doing so, he gained the support of the people of Gaul and a powerful ally in the Christian Church of Rome.

5. Grandson of Charles Martel, Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768. Built an Empire from the North Sea to the Mediterranean - included most of modern France, Germany, Holland, Switzerland and Northern Italy Supported by the pope, he spread Christianity throughout conquered lands Re-birth of Education at Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle)

6. Charlemagne’s Empire

7. Pope Crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800 This step announced to the world that Western Europe was now independent from the Byzantine emperor. Also signified the new political and religious unity of Western Europe under the concept of Christendom. After Charlemagne’s death, his empire was divided among his sons. This step announced to the world that Western Europe was now independent from the Byzantine emperor. Also signified the new political and religious unity of Western Europe under the concept of Christendom. After Charlemagne’s death, his empire was divided among his sons.

9. The Vikings Scandinavia Vicious/ Warriors/ Barbarians Maygars & Slavs Hungary Muslims Spain Moors defeated once by his Grandfather (the Hammer)

10. Fierce warriors and sailors from Scandinavia in N. Europe. Sailed south in search of trade, loot, and land. Between 800-1000, launched repeated and brutal assaults on the coasts of Western Europe, spreading fear and destruction. BUT created new TRADE ROUTES. Their longboats were easy to maneuver and could sail in heavy seas or close to land.