Rise of Charlemagne and the Spread of Christianity in the Middle Ages

1. Middle Ages Germanic Kingdoms Unite Under Charlemagne

2. Middle Ages • After the fall of the Roman Empire • 500--1500

4. Changes in Western Europe • Disruption of Trade—invasions made trade business collapse, money becomes scarce • Downfall of Cities—cities abandoned as centers of administration • Population Shifts—lords and commoners leave cities and move to suburbs

5. Decline of Learning • Germanic invaders could not read and write • Use oral history more important • Greek learning lost • Language changes—mixture of Germanic and Latin languages make it hard to understand different regions—French, Spanish, etc.

6. Changes in Government • Church survives Fall of Roman Empire • Germanic people loyal to lord who gives them food and land • Not loyal to a emperor or king they had never met

7. The Franks under Clovis • Leader of the Gauls • Converts to Christianity after battle against another Germanic army • The Church supports Clovis’ military campaigns • 511—Clovis unites Franks into one kingdom • Clovis and Church make powerful partnership

8. Christianity Spreads to Germanic People • Rulers helped Church convert Germanic people • Missionaries • Threat of Muslim invasion on coasts

9. Monasteries and Convents • 520—Benedict writes rules for monks and adopted by sister Scholastica • 731--Venerable Bede—writes history of England • Become Europe’s best educated communities • Opened schools, libraries, and copy books

10. Gregory I (590) • Expands Papacy to include secular aspects • Raised armies, made peace treaties • b/t Italy to England and Spain to Western Germany was part of a spiritual kingdom • Spiritual kingdom ruled by the Pope became central theme in Middle Ages

11. Carolingian Dynasty 751--987 • Clovis’ decedents • Charles Martel 719—defeats Muslim army in 732 and becomes Christian hero • Pepin the Short (son)—anointed king by pope (“king by the grace of God”) becomes king • Fights on behalf of the Church

12. Charlemagne Takes Charge • Pepin dies 768 • Two sons—Carloman and Charlemagne • Carloman dies 771 • Charlemagne takes over • 6 foot 4 inches • imposing

13. Charlemagne’s Empire • Reunited western Europe for first time since Roman Empire • Appointed “Roman Emperor” by Pope Leo III because Charlemagne put down a mob • Roman Emperor—joining of Germanic powers, the Church and heritage of Roman Empire

14. Charlemagne’s Government • Limited authority of nobles • Sent royal agents to help govern empire • Made sure landowners ruled fairly • Traveled around his empire • Encouraged learning • Created a palace school • Ordered monasteries to open schools to train monks

15. 814—Charlemagne dies • Louis the Pious (Charlemagne's son)—religious, better monk than king • Lothair, Charles the Bald, Louis the German—fight for control, civil war ends 843 • Treaty of Verdun—divides the kingdom among the three rulers

17. How did these people spread Christianity? • Clovis • Benedict • Gregory I • Charles Martel • Charlemagne

18. How did these people spread Christianity? • Clovis—converted himself and army • Benedict—wrote rules for monasteries • Gregory I—expanded Papal powers combined Church and Government authority • Charles Martel—defeated Muslim army • Charlemagne—conquered land and anointed Roman Emperor

19. Section Two Feudalism in Europe

20. Vikings Invade Europe

21. Vikings • From Scandinavia • Fearless and Mean • Great sailors • Probably the first to discover North America (Leif Eriksson)

22. Muslim Invade Europe

23. Muslim • From south • Disrupted trade • Plundered towns and villages along the coast

24. Magyars Invade Europe

25. Magyars • From East (Hungary) • Great Horsemen • Attacked not for control, only to capture people for slavery

27. Results of Invasions • Widespread disorder • Europeans in constant danger • Central Authority powerless • People looked to local rulers with armies for protection • ENTRENCHES FEUDALISM

28. Peace • Viking leader (Rollo) and King of France (Charles the Simple) • French gave Vikings land in France (Normandy) • Viking pledge loyalty to French

29. Feudalism • Based on control of land and mutual obligations

30. Here's how it works

31. Class System Strict • Those who fought—nobles and knights • Those who prayed—men and women of the church • Those who worked—peasants (largest class and mostly serfs • These classes were usually inherited

32. Manor System • Lord’s Duties • Housing • Farmland • protection • Serf’s Duties • Tend land • Care for animals • Maintain estate • Owed few days labor and portion of grain

33. Manors Self Contained and Self Sufficient • Only place peasants knew • Fields • Streams • forests • Manor house • Church • Workshops • Raised all food needed • Made tools • Leather goods • Wood

34. Peasant’s Life • Paid tax on grain ground at Lord’s mill (only place they could grind it) • Paid tax on marriage (only be married with lord’s consent) • Paid tithe to village priest (10% of peasant’s income) • Brought pigs in the house to warm the house

36. Section Three The Age of Chivalry

37. Warriors on Horseback • Idea taken from Muslims • Saddles • Developed in Asian Steppes • Stirrups developed in India • Ability to stay on horse and stand up to maneuver weapons

38. Warrior’s Role in Feudalism • Given land in return for fighting for lord • Knight could afford expensive weapons • Obligated to about 40 days of service to lord • Spent rest of time training and hunting

40. Chivalry • Complex set of ideals • Had to fight in defense of three masters • Earthly feudal lord • Heavenly Lord • His chosen lady

41. War Games for Glory • Young knights practiced in tournaments • Winners demanded large ransoms from defeated knights

42. War is no game. Reality • Castles guarded palaces and important buildings • Awesome battles • Boiling water, lead and oil used • Crossbows

43. Literature, Poetry, and Song • The Song of Roland—about Charlemagne’s battle a/g Muslims • Troubadours—poet-musicians at castles (love songs) • Eleanor of Aquitaine—later becomes queen of England—troubadours all come to see her

44. Women’s Role • Church’s view—women inferior to men • Women could not receive land but could inherit from husband • Fought to defend her castle while husband off fighting

45. Section Four The Church Wields Power

46. Pope Gelasius I • Recognized 300 years before Charlemagne there would be conflict between Pope and King • Solution: King allow Pope to rule in religious matters and Pope allow King to rule in political matters

47. Pope Bishops Priests Church Reflects Feudalism

48. Religion was Uniting Force for Peasants • In a time of war and trouble, Church was the calming force • Sense of security • All people follow same path…nobles and peasants alike

49. Church Justice and Power Over Emperor • Excommunication • Banishment from church • Ruler denied salvation • Released vassals from their duty • Interdict • Sacraments could not be preformed in the king’s lands • His people would suffer

50. Otto I • German ruler • Charlemagne was his hero • Fought on Pope’s behalf and gained support from the Church