Middle Ages

1. Middle Ages Ch 13-14

2. Section 1 Break up of Western Roman Empire • For hundreds of years, Europe is in shambles. • Barbarian groups invade and take over Europe • Franks, Visigoths, Ostrogoths • Bring new customs and political patterns • Age of Transition • 400s to 1500 CE called the Middle Ages • End of the Classical Period • Beginning of the Modern World

4. The Franks • Leave the most lasting impact in European History • Loosely organized Germanic tribes • Clovis = King of one of the Frankish tribes, 481 CE • Starts line of Merovingian leaders • Able military leader • Conquered and absorbed other Frankish tribes • Controlled all of northern Gaul • Christian, received support from the church • Also began to seize and rule southwestern Gaul • France • When he died, kingdom split between his sons • Kings that came afterwards were weak.

5. The Franks • “Mayor of the Palace” becomes real ruler over each kingdom, chief of royal household • Pepin II – Ruled from 687 to 714 CE • Him and successors united all Frankish Kingdoms. • Charles “the Hammer” Martel, 714 - 741CE • Defeated Spanish Moors • Halted Muslim advance in western Europe • But Muslim raids cont’d • Son Pepin III (the Short) • Co-rules after Charles death with brother Carolman

6. The Franks • Pepin the Short overthrows last Merovingian ruler • Claims Frankish throne for himself • 751 CE - Anointed king of the Franks • Starts Carolingian rule of Frankish leaders • Receives Pope’s confirmation • Strengthens legitimacy of dynasty • Pope’s blessing comes from God. • Continues throughout history • Obligation to the Church? • Pope asks for help with Lombards • Pepin defeats them, wins territory around Rome • Donation of Pepin = Creates Papal States

7. Charlemagne’s Empire • Charlemagne took over throne with Pepin the Shorts death • Ruled from 768 – 814 CE • Worked to build a “new Rome” • Devout Christian • Spreads Christian teachings • Brought civilization, order and learning to Europe • Spent much of his life at war • Tried to conquer all of Muslim Spain (Moors) • Failed, but forced them back across the Pyrenees • Gained small strip of territory – “Spanish March” • Creates a buffer zone between Muslims and Christians

8. Charlemagne’s Empire • Pope Leo declared him “Emperor of the Romans” • Christmas Day, 800CE • Title indicates his importance to western Europe • United much of western Europe • first time in 400 years • Coronation shows close ties between Franks and Christian church • Was conscious of his position • Aimed to live up to image of a Roman emperor • Skilled as a warrior • Devotion to Christianity

9. Charlemagne’s Empire • Government • Empire divided into Regions • Governed by a Count – on Emperors behalf • Used “oaths of fidelity” • To ensure the Counts and other Carolingians officials ruled effectively • Appointed officials who help run his empire • Called “missidominici“ or “the Lords messengers” • Travel empire to hear complaints and investigate official misconduct • Determine the effectiveness of laws • Direct representatives of Charlemagne • Power to make decisions

10. Charlemagne’s Empire • Education • He was not formally educated • But placed great value on education • Started school at palace for his children & young nobles • Studied grammar, rhetoric, logic, math, music, astronomy • Based on Roman model • Brought scholars together to produce a readable bible • Ordered bishops to create libraries • Could read, but not write. • Encouraged/Forced people to convert to Christianity

11. Decline of the Frankish Empire • Empire did not survive Charlemagne’s death in 814 • Louis the Pious, Charlemagne’s son rules after death • Well educated, religious, but weak and short sided • Died in 840 CE • Empire divided between Louis’s sons • Lothair (Middle), • Charles the Bald (Western), and • Louis the German (Eastern) • Treaty became known as the Treaty of Verdun-843 CE • Fought amongst themselves, empire collasped.

12. Decline of the Frankish Empire • By mid 800’s it began to divide and collapse • Charlemagne's successors fought amongst themselves • By 870 the middle kingdom divided between eastern and western kingdom • Invasions of different people hindered the empire • Muslims from Africa invaded the Mediterranean coast • Slavs from the east raided central Europe • Nomadic Magyars settled in what is now Hungary • Terrorized Europe for about 50 years • Vikings from Scandinavia • No longer a large scale government • By 900’s most of Europe was governed by small, local, independent leaders, or local lords. • This is known as Feudalism

13. Rise of the Franks • With Papal support Charlemagne inherited Frankish throne • The Papal States were created. • Pépin III was crowned; Carolingian rule began. • Charles Martel defeated the Spanish Moors • Pépin II and his successors united the Frankish kingdoms. • Franks seized and ruled southwestern Gaul (now France) • Clovis became ruler of Frankish tribes

14. Fill in the blank • 1. The medieval period of European development is also known as the ___ _. • 2. Pépin III’s coronation established the __, a new line of Frankish rulers. • 3. A gift of land to the pope called the Donation of Pépincreated the ___. • 4. Charlemagne’s “new Rome” centered on what is now _ __ and Germany. • 5. Charlemagne appointed the _ _ , or “lord’s messengers” to help him govern the empire