Charlemagne Unites Germanic Kingdoms

European Middle Ages500-1200

The Middle Ages

• Era of European history from 500-1500

• Rooted in:– Classical heritage of

Rome– Beliefs of Roman

Catholic Church– Customs of Germanic

tribes

Why Study the Middle Ages

• Christianity - dominant religion in Europe

• Representative government similarities to feudalism

• Chivalry shaped modern ideals of romance

Germanic Invasions in Europe

• Germanic tribes overran western half of Roman empire, causing major changes:– Disruption of trade– Downfall of cities– Population shifts

• Invaders were illiterate - learning sank• Common language of Latin, no longer

understood, different dialects developed– Ex: French, Spanish

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge

• 400-600 B.C. - Roman provinces were replaced with small Germanic kingdoms

• Boundaries changed, so did government• Germanic people were used to:

– Living in small communities – Family ties, personal loyalty held society

together– Governed by locally by traditions, unwritten

rules• Felt no obligation to a king or emperor they

had never met

Clovis and the Franks• In Gaul, Germanic people called the Franks

were in control under Clovis• 496 - Clovis and troops convert to

Christianity• The Church in Rome welcomed his

conversion and supported him in military campaigns against other Germanic peoples

• By 511, Clovis united Franks into one kingdom

• The alliance marked the start of a partnership between two powerful forces

Germans Adopt Christianity

• The Church, Frankish rulers, missionaries spread Christianity to Germanic peoples

• The Church built monasteries:– Religious communities where Christian

men, called monks, gave up possessions and devoted their life to serving God

– Convents for women, called nuns

Contributions of Monasteries

• Monk Benedict and his sister Scholastica established strict, practical set of rules for monasteries/convents

• Opened schools, maintained libraries, copied books, beautified religious writings

• English monk wrote a history of England that is still considered the best historical work of the early Middle Ages

Papal Power Under Gregory I

• 590, Gregory I (the Great) became Pope• The papacy (pope’s office) became

secular by becoming a political power• Believed the region from Italy to England

and from Spain to Germany fell under his responsibility - a spiritual kingdom

• The idea of a churchly kingdom, ruled by a pope, became a central theme of the Middle Ages

Charles Martel Emerges• By 700, the major domo (mayor of the

palace) became the most powerful figure in the Frankish kingdom– Controlled royal household and estates– Unofficially led armies and made policies

• In 719, Charles Martel took over this role– Extended the Franks reign to the N,S,E– Defeated Muslim raiders at Battle of Tours

• Made him a Christian hero

Carolingian Dynasty• Charles Martel died, passed power

to his son Pepin the Short• Cooperated with the pope to fight

the Lombards, and in exchange, the pope declared him “king by the grace of God”

• Began the Carolingian Dynasty (751-987)

Charlemagne Becomes Emperor

• Pepin --> Carloman --> Charlemagne• 771, Charlemagne became ruler of the

Frankish kingdom– Led armies against enemies surrounding his

kingdom– Conquered new lands to the south and east– Spread Christianity during conquests– United W. Europe for the first time since the

Roman Empire• Became the most powerful king in W. Europe

Charlemagne• In 800, he helped defeat an unruly

mob that had attacked the pope and was crowned emperor by Pope Leo II– Popes had never before claimed the

political right to give the title of “Roman Emperor”

– Signaled the joining of Germanic power, the Church and the heritage of the Roman Empire

Charlemagne Leads a Revival

• Limited the authority of nobles• Sent out royal agents to make sure

landholders (counts) governed justly• Regularly visited every part of his

kingdom• Monitored the management of his

estates• Encouraged learning!!!!!!

Charlemagne’s Heirs• Charlemagne --> Louis the Pious -->

(3 sons)• Divided the empire into three

kingdoms• Carolingian kings lost power,

control• Lack of strong rulers led to

feudalism

For Next Class…• Read Chapter 13, Section 2 and 3