1. Section I: Early European Kingdoms (Pages 268 - 274) This section is about: This section is about: Why geographical features made western Europe ideal for settlement in the early Middle Ages. Why geographical features made western Europe ideal for settlement in the early Middle Ages. The leaders who united the Franks and promoted learning and culture. The leaders who united the Franks and promoted learning and culture. The importance of Christianity in Charlemagne’s leadership. The importance of Christianity in Charlemagne’s leadership.

2. We need to start by reading what’s on page 268 –especially in quotes. We need to start by reading what’s on page 268 –especially in quotes. This “pledge” was usually done at an “homage” ceremony. This “pledge” was usually done at an “homage” ceremony. And, looking at the picture on 269 (and the caption). And, looking at the picture on 269 (and the caption). These castles are similar to some houses – symbols of “power and prestige.” These castles are similar to some houses – symbols of “power and prestige.” It’s also a great time to look at the time line. It’s also a great time to look at the time line. Castle Samur

3. We also need to look at the Main Ideas (on page 270) 1. This time period’s influences go al the way back to the Romans. 1. This time period’s influences go al the way back to the Romans. 2. and 3. We’ll keep hearing about Charlemagne: a Roman Emperor – and what he did. 2. and 3. We’ll keep hearing about Charlemagne: a Roman Emperor – and what he did. This time period falls between the Romans and modern history This time period falls between the Romans and modern history In Latin: Medieval means middle In Latin: Medieval means middle This is a time where Europe was quite divided – but each areas did have strong ties to religion This is a time where Europe was quite divided – but each areas did have strong ties to religion

5. The Geography of Western Europe Europe was mostly thick forests in the Middle Ages with great soils, lots of minerals, and useful rivers. Europe was mostly thick forests in the Middle Ages with great soils, lots of minerals, and useful rivers. People were starting to leave big cities (like Rome and Paris) and moving to Western Europe to farm. People were starting to leave big cities (like Rome and Paris) and moving to Western Europe to farm. This meant they were also cut off from the Middle East, China, and India. This meant they were also cut off from the Middle East, China, and India. Since they weren’t being used much, roads and trade routes were badly in need of repair. Since they weren’t being used much, roads and trade routes were badly in need of repair. There was no big Roman Empire to defend, so they didn’t care much about these outlying areas. There was no big Roman Empire to defend, so they didn’t care much about these outlying areas. People were pretty much on their own and left alone. People were pretty much on their own and left alone.

7. The People of the Middle Ages in Europe These people were no longer Roman in any way. These people were no longer Roman in any way. They spoke Germanic languages – so they were called: ___________ They spoke Germanic languages – so they were called: ___________ Our English is a mix of many languages Our English is a mix of many languages They were small groups of herders and farmers who’d move from place to place. They were small groups of herders and farmers who’d move from place to place. If you were moving to new places, they might be other people’s places, so they were usually led by the strongest warriors. If you were moving to new places, they might be other people’s places, so they were usually led by the strongest warriors.

8. The Empire of the Franks One of the stronger leaders was named Clovis. One of the stronger leaders was named Clovis. He led one of these groups of people the Franks. He led one of these groups of people the Franks. These groups lived near the Rhine River. At one time (300 AD) they tried to expand into Roman territories, but they were unsuccessful. These groups lived near the Rhine River. At one time (300 AD) they tried to expand into Roman territories, but they were unsuccessful.

9. Uniting the Franks About 481, Clovis united some of these Frank groups. About 481, Clovis united some of these Frank groups. He led a combined force against the Romans and succeeded in capturing Gaul (allowing the Franks to have their own kingdom). He led a combined force against the Romans and succeeded in capturing Gaul (allowing the Franks to have their own kingdom). Clovis also became a Christian. Clovis also became a Christian. Rome was “kind of okay” with this (he’s a Christian – at the same time Rome was becoming Christian) Rome was “kind of okay” with this (he’s a Christian – at the same time Rome was becoming Christian) This started a period of 300- 400 years of the Franks remaining in power in Gaul This started a period of 300- 400 years of the Franks remaining in power in Gaul

10. The Rise of Charlemagne Carolus Magnus / Charles the Great / Charlemagne Lived to 72 years old (twice the average life span at the time) Lived to 72 years old (twice the average life span at the time) King of the Franks for 46 years. King of the Franks for 46 years. His first 10 years: built the biggest empire in the world (since Rome). His first 10 years: built the biggest empire in the world (since Rome). His last 36 years: defended what he had built. His last 36 years: defended what he had built. He also improved culture, education, and law. He also improved culture, education, and law.

11. A Christian King He did force the people he conquered to become Christian. He did force the people he conquered to become Christian. Okay – he tried to. Okay – he tried to. He tried to baptize entire cities and punished people who wouldn’t convert. He tried to baptize entire cities and punished people who wouldn’t convert. Then, politics get involved – he becomes friends with the Pope………. Then, politics get involved – he becomes friends with the Pope……….

12. The Pope’s main rival was the emperor in Constantinople (who claimed to rule all Roman territories). The Pope’s main rival was the emperor in Constantinople (who claimed to rule all Roman territories). So Pope Leo III made Charlemagne the new Roman emperor (Christmas day, 800). So Pope Leo III made Charlemagne the new Roman emperor (Christmas day, 800). Look at page 272 Look at page 272 This meant: This meant: 1. The Romans had an emperor for the first time in over 300 years. 2. Charlemagne had the blessing of the pope. 3. It established the idea that the Pope could make political decisions

13. The Age of Charlemagne Charlemagne wanted to make his empire the center of learning and culture, so he tried to “class up” his people (brought in great artists, encouraged trade, better system of laws, etc…) Charlemagne wanted to make his empire the center of learning and culture, so he tried to “class up” his people (brought in great artists, encouraged trade, better system of laws, etc…) Medieval law office The Throne of Charlemagne

14. Schools and Learning Charlemagne could read (but not write). Charlemagne could read (but not write). Most people couldn’t do either – except clergy could read/write Latin. Most people couldn’t do either – except clergy could read/write Latin. Charlemagne brought in scholars (Alcuin) from England, Germany, Spain, and Italy – to set up a school for the nobles children. Charlemagne brought in scholars (Alcuin) from England, Germany, Spain, and Italy – to set up a school for the nobles children. He told the clergy that sometimes what they wrote was filled with errors in grammar and that they needed to improve. He told the clergy that sometimes what they wrote was filled with errors in grammar and that they needed to improve. He even set up “cathedral schools” and regular schools throughout his kingdom. He even set up “cathedral schools” and regular schools throughout his kingdom. They would be open to children and free (but you could give them money if you wanted). They would be open to children and free (but you could give them money if you wanted).

15. Culture All this led to a revival (renewed interest) in the cultures of Greece and Rome. All this led to a revival (renewed interest) in the cultures of Greece and Rome. Monks were assigned the job of copying bibles and re- producing (and saving) great works from the Greeks and Romans. Monks were assigned the job of copying bibles and re- producing (and saving) great works from the Greeks and Romans. He also understood the importance of keeping good records (and writing things down), so he sent nobles around the kingdom to bring him back the records of everything that was going on. He also understood the importance of keeping good records (and writing things down), so he sent nobles around the kingdom to bring him back the records of everything that was going on. His leadership, reforms, and improvements make this time period called “The Age of Charlemagne.” His leadership, reforms, and improvements make this time period called “The Age of Charlemagne.”

16. The Decline of Charlemagne’s Empire In 814, Charlemagne had died and the empire began to decline (slowly) In 814, Charlemagne had died and the empire began to decline (slowly) By 843, his 3 ruling grandsons had divided the empire into 3 parts (weak parts). By 843, his 3 ruling grandsons had divided the empire into 3 parts (weak parts). Muslims, the Magyars, and the Vikings all successfully invaded the region. Muslims, the Magyars, and the Vikings all successfully invaded the region. But Charlemagne's ideas of learning and government were still an influence on peoples for centuries. But Charlemagne's ideas of learning and government were still an influence on peoples for centuries. Charlemagne's skull is inside this golden statue Charlemagne’s Sarcophagus