1. Fragmentation and Destruction
Invasions
Fragmentation and Destruction
A New Wave of Invasions:  Charlemagne's heirs faced new waves of invasions. Despite the Christian victory at Tours, Muslim forces still posed a threat to Europe. In the late 800s, they conquered Sicily, which became a thriving center of Islamic culture. Not until the 900s, when power struggles erupted in the Middle East, did Muslim attacks finally subside.

2. After Charlemagne…
Invasions by Angles, Saxons, Magyars, and Vikings disrupted the social, economic, and political order of Europe.
In the 9th and 10th centuries these invaders looked for wealth and booty.

3. Where was the gold?
In the Middle Ages the Church was rich and much of its treasures were kept in monasteries.
The invaders did not raid fortified cities; they raided monasteries because of easy access.
Plus, monks could not shed blood, so they were easy targets.
The Vikings snapped the last threads of unity in Charlemagne's empire. These expert sailors burst out of Scandinavia, a northern region that now includes Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Starting in the 900s, they looted and burned communities along the coasts and rivers of Europe.

4. Settlements of the Invaders
Angles and Saxons were from continental Europe to England
Magyars from Central Asia to Hungary
Vikings from Scandinavia to Russia
About 896, a new wave of nomadic people, the Magyars, settled in what is today Hungary. From there, they overran eastern Europe and moved on to plunder Germany, parts of France, and Italy. Finally, after about 50 years, they were pushed back into Hungary.
Vikings also settled in England, Ireland, northern France, and parts of Russia. Around the year 1000, Leif Erikson set up a short-lived Viking colony on North America.

5. Influence of the Invasions on the development of Europe
Manors with castles provided protection from invaders, reinforcing the feudal system.
Invasions disrupted trade, towns declined, and the feudal system was strengthened.

6. Who were the Vikings? In Norse, the word “Viking” means piracy.
The Vikings were Scandinavians, related to the Germanic tribes.
They came from the modern-day countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

7. Vikings -- Seamen
Viking ships were the most technologically advanced of their time.
They were lighter, slimmer, and faster than any others.
Vikings were the best seamen and shipbuilders.
The Vikings were not just destructive raiders. They were also traders and explorers who sailed around the Mediterranean Sea and across the Atlantic Ocean. Vikings opened trade routes that linked northern Europe to Mediterranean lands.

8. “From the fury of the Northmen, oh Lord, deliver us.”
Written by a monk in the Middle Ages.

9. Vikings -- Raiders Beginning in the 9th century, Vikings invaded:
Western Russia
Coast of England and Ireland.
Coasts of Gaul and Germany
Arab seaports in the Mediterranean

10. Overseas Voyages
The Vikings discovered and settled Iceland by 870 A.D.
Greenland was first explored and settled by Erik the Red, at the end of the 10th century.
Vinland, so we are told, was discovered by his son Leif Eriksson, around 1000 A.D.