The Franks

1. The Franks World History I February 23, 2014

2. Europe After the Fall of Rome • The Dark Ages overlapped with the Fall of Rome • This was a time of cultural, social, and political change • Europe was once one large unified empire, and had now shattered into a collection of warring tribes

3. The Geography of Western Europe • Europe was small compared to many other civilizations • From about 500-1,000 C.E. this region was considered frontier land • Frontier = underdeveloped land on the outskirts of the civilization • Though it was small and underdeveloped, there was a large amount of natural resources • Fresh water, trees, harbors, fertile soil

4. Who are the franks? • In the lands on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, the people were organized into smaller nomadic tribes • Farmers and herders • They did not have cities, organized governments, or laws • Unwritten laws based on Pagan religious customs • Elected leaders to lead them into battles • Between 400-700 C.E., Germanic tribes carved Western Europe into smaller kingdoms • The Franks were a group of Germanic people who lived in Northern Gaul • Present day France • They were one of the only kingdoms to rise out of the Dark Ages

5. King Clovis • Was the first of the Frankish kings • Conquered the former Roman province of Gaul • This united the Germanic tribes into one civilization • He ruled the Franks according to traditional customs but also tried to preserve Roman traditions • He was polytheistic and worshipped Pagan Gods • His wife, Clotilda, was a Catholic and encouraged him to convert to Christianity • After a significant victory in battle, he converted, making Catholicism the official religion of the Franks • He created The Law of the Salian Franks • A written code of laws combining customs, Roman law, and Christian ideals

6. Charles Martel • He was son of Pippin the Middle, King of the Franks • His mother was Pippin’s mistress, which made him the illegitimate successor • On his father’s deathbed, his wife convinced him to disinherit Charles as his child and choose her nephew as his heir • Years later he escaped captivity and found support among the Frankish military • He led a civil war against his cousin • He regained his title as mayor of the palace or Prince of the Franks • He focused his attention on preventing the invasion of the Moors • He is considered the “Savior of Christianity”

7. The Battle of Tours • Fought on October 10, 732 • Between the advancing Muslims (Moors) and the Christians (Franks) • Muslims led by Abdul Rahman • Christians led by Charles the Hammer • Muslim army was looking to expand the Islamic Empire and gain land, money, and power • The Christians were vastly outnumbered • The Muslims had the fiercer and more organized army • The Christians were able to stop the northward advance of Islam • This preserved Christianity as the controlling faith in England • This spread the religion and made it an even more dominant force

8. Charlemagne • In 800 Charles Martel’s grandson united much of Europe under his control • Empire reached from France, to Germany, and part of Italy • Charlemagne’s name translates to “Charles the Great” because he had many accomplishments • Strengthened and brought order to Europe • Helped the Romans hold off the Muslims • Started the MissiDominici • Group of nobles who saw that the laws were followed • Rebuilt Trade • Focused on Education • Spread Christianity

9. Fall of the Franks • When Charlemagne died in C.E. 814, his empire began to crumble • His empire was divided into 3 parts, one for each of his sons • Called The Treaty of Verdun • Charles • Lothair • Louis • In 45 years the land continued to be divided up into smaller and smaller sections • Invaders, like the Vikings, played a role in the deteriorating land