early middle ages (dark ages) small independent kingdoms spring up in gaul, spain, germany belgium,...
TRANSCRIPT
Early middle Ages (Dark Ages)
• Small independent kingdoms spring up in Gaul, Spain, Germany Belgium, and Britain (400’s)
The Frankish Kingdom
Clovis
• The Frankish kingdom was established by Clovis in Gaul (500 ce). It was the most powerful and largest in the Early Middle Ages.
• Clovis was the first to convert his kingdom to Christianity. This won him favor with the Roman Catholic Church.
• His decedents allowed government administration to be run by an official known as the “mayor of the palace”.
• One outstanding mayor of the palace, Charles Martel (Hammer) became leader of all the Franks.
• He won fame by turning back the invading Muslims.
• He formed alliances with the church. Later his son appealed to the pope and became king. In return he granted lands (the Papal States) near Rome to the pope.
• From here on the church would be involved in political affairs.
Charlemagne
• Grandson of Martel “Charles the Great” or Charlemagne was a talented general.
Charlemagne
• Grandson of Martel “Charles the Great” or Charlemagne was a talented general.
Charlemagne
• Grandson of Martel “Charles the Great” or Charlemagne was a talented general.
• He was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by the pope (Christmas 800) who wished to be seen as the crowner of kings and spiritual leader of Western Europe.
• He expanded the Frankish kingdom and established uniform laws throughout the kingdom.
• Charlemagne's kingdom: Light-green is kingdom in
771, dark-green was added by 800
The Vikings
• Charlemagne’s death was followed by 2 centuries of attack form the Vikings who invaded Europe and Britain between 800 and 1000.
• Vikings were warriors and expert sailors from the north (Norway, Sweden, & Denmark).
• Due to overpopulation and poor lands at home, they raided along the coast.
• In 911 the Franks were forced so surrender a part of northern France to Vikings; it became known as Normandy.
• Around 1000, Leif Erickson led a group to L'Anse-aux-Meadows, Newfoundland (500 years before the discovery of America).