Large Peninsula = trade and fishing

Rivers = travel, trade, safetyBritain and Ireland separate = unique culture

Mountains = difficult to conquer continent

Angles & Saxons = BritainCelts = IrelandGoths = Spain and ItalyFranks = France and Germany

Magyars from HungaryVikings from Scandinavia

496 – Clovis Catholic700 – Charles Martel united Franks and won the Battle of Tours (stopped Muslim advance into Europe

@ 771 – Charlemagne spread Christianity, promoted education, crowned Holy Roman Emperor

814 – Empire ended

In Germany and part of ItalyRise of the Roman Catholic ChurchMonks (taught, copied books)Monastaries (cared for sick and travelers)

Became involved in politics

Pope Gregory VIIExcommunicated HR Emperor Henry IV

Concordat of WormsOnly the Pope could choose bishops