Download Treaty of Verdum

The Early Middle Ages
500-1500s
The Franks
King Clovis
Warrior king of the Franks
Germanic kingdoms were now the
uniting force in Europe
Established the most powerful Christian
kingdom of the time
France is derived from their name
Western
Europe in
Decline
Period of political, social, and economic
decline
Cut off from advanced civilizations
(Middle East, China, and India)
Invaders had free range
Trade slowed, towns emptied, no more
classical learning
Dark Ages?
Used to be called Dark Ages
Decline vs. Transition
Blend of Greco-Roman, Germanic, and
Christian traditions
Now referred to as Middle Ages
“Medi” = Middle
“Ev” = Age
Between the Roman Empire and the
Renaissance
Rise of
Germanic
Kingdoms
Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks
Farmers and herders
Little organization
A New
Power
Islam from Arabia
Overran Northern Africa and Spain
Crossed into France
Battle of Tours, Frankish warriors were
led by Charles Martel
Charles the Great = Charlemagne
Grandson of Charles Martel
United old western Roman empire
Pope Leo III changes the game
Age of
Charlemagne
 Rebellious nobles in Rome
 Crowns Charlemagne as Emperor of
Rome
 Unites the Christian community
 Future power struggles between popes
and Germanic emperors
 Deepened split between Eastern and
Western Christian worlds
Unity and
Learning
Charlemagne wanted to spread
Christianity
Missi Dominici “envoys of the lord”:
check on roads, listen to grievances, see
justice done
Stressed education
Europe After
Charlemagne
Died in 814
Treaty of Verdum split empire into three
regions
Despite defeat at Tours, Muslims still
posed a threat to Christian Europe
Muslims conquer Sicily
Magyars: nomadic people who settled in
present-day Hungary, plundered France,
Germany, and Italy
Raiders
From The
North:
Vikings
Broke last remaining pieces of unity
formed under Charlemagne
Vikings farmers in Scandinavia
Expert sailors
Set up Viking colony in North America