Download Medieval Europe and the Franks

• What happened to Western Europe after the
decline of the Roman Empire?
• Do you think the Germanic peoples would
have viewed decline of the Roman Empire as
a positive or a negative change? Why or why
not?
• Without an emperor in Western Europe, which
individual do you think had the highest
authority in the region? Explain your
reasoning.
• Period from about 500-1500 CE,
between the decline of Rome and the
beginning of the Renaissance, or
“Rebirth” of Europe (Medieval means
“Middle Age”)
• 500-1000 CE sometimes called the
Dark Ages because, while the China,
the Middle East, the Byzantine Empire,
and India were advancing, Western
Europe was in decline
• Mostly rural, feudal lifestyle
• Minimal long-distance trade
• Lack of political unity
• Western Church (aka
Catholic Church) = main
power in Western
Europe, unifying force
• Blending of Roman,
Christian, and
Germanic culture
• Germanic tribes that
conquered Roman lands
created their own
kingdoms
• Germanic tribes
originally pagans
(polytheistic), but began
to adopt Christianity,
although most were
Arian Christians,
considered heresy by
the Catholic Church
• 486- Clovis, King of the Franks,
Conquered Gaul (which later
became France)
• Converted to Catholic Christianity,
became allied with Pope, used
religion as an excuse to kill and
conquer pagan and heretical tribes
• Put conquered people in army to
make them loyal to him
• Murdered all extended family so no
one could challenge him for power
• 700s: Muslims expanded into North Africa, Spain, and
then France
• Charles “Martel” (“The Hammer”) was a Frankish military
leader who had power over the King
• Charles Martel united Franks and creates a trained and
disciplined army, unlike typical
Germanic “barbarian hordes”
which surprised the Muslims
• 732- The Battle of Tours: Franks
defeated the invading Muslims
and drove them back to Spain
• Charles Martel seen as
a hero to the Franks
and a savior of
Christianity in Europe
• His heirs became the
Carolingian Kings, and
his grandson
Charlemagne was the
most famous
• First, read and record the
assigned task for your group.
• Then, read together and
annotate the reading on
Charlemagne to prepare for writing
• Finally, work as a group to write your own editorial
article. You should include a picture with a caption, and
you can write the article in columns. Make sure to include
as many examples as possible from the reading.
•
• Carolingian Chronicle
• Frankish perspective. Fully supportive of Charlemagne in
every way. Celebrates his greatness in military victory,
political leadership, and educational reform.
• Heathen Herald
• Pagan Saxon perspective. Supportive of traditional
Germanic culture, especially pre-Christian Germanic
paganism. Opposed to the Christianization of the
Germanic peoples and extremely angered by
Charlemagne's treatment of the Saxons. Keep in mind,
however, that many Saxons have converted and joined
Charlemagne.
• Byzantine Bugle
• Byzantine perspective. Supportive of the authority of the Byzantine
Emperor in Constantinople, seen as the true emperor of the Romans.
You view Charlemagne as undeserving of the title of Emperor, and
view the Pope as far exceeding the limits of his power by declaring
him Emperor.
• Papal Press
• Roman Catholic perspective. Supportive of the pope as the supreme
authority over all Christendom (Christian World) above all religious
and secular (non-religious) leaders. Supportive of Charlemagne as
defender of Catholic Church and of the Pope. Agrees with choice
of Charlemagne as Emperor.
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Charlemagne = Charles the Great
Grandson of Charles Martel
Becomes King of Franks in 768
Built empire across France Germany
Italy Poland Switzerland
799- helped Pope Leo III defeat his
opponents in Rome
Christmas 800- Pope crowned him “Emperor of Rome”
So… Christian Pope declares Germanic King the Roman
Emperor… and Christendom (Christian community) united
Who do you think was really mad about this?
• Spread Christianity as he conquered (Convert or Die)
• Any secret pagans caught were executed
• Let nobles rule local regions, but also sent officials to
keep an eye on nobles, check on the people
• Carolingian Renaissance
• Tried to bring back Latin education and create schools
• Learned to read himself
• Seen as a light in a dark age
• Had five wives, five
concubines, and 20 kids!