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Charlemagne and the Franks
In this lesson, students will be able to
identify effects of the fall of Rome as well as
the rise of Charlemagne and the Franks.
Students will be able to identify and/or
define the following terms:
Effects of the Fall of Rome
Franks
Charlemagne
Feudalism
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The fall of Rome brought many important
changes to Western Europe.
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Effects of the Fall of Rome
• Germanic tribes took over Roman lands.
• Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place
of the Western Roman Empire in Europe.
• Initially, there was no system for collecting
taxes.
• Kingdoms were always at war with one
another.
• People lost interest in learning.
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Warfare increased. Trade decreased.
The “Dark Ages” began.
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The “Dark Ages”
• Historians call the period following the fall
of Rome the “Dark Ages.”
• Formerly, this period is known as the
beginning of the Middle Ages.
• It was a time of increased warfare,
decreased trade, and a decline in learning.
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Clovis was
an important
king of the
Franks. The
Franks were
one of the
largest
Germanic
tribes.
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Clovis and the Franks
• In A.D. 481, Clovis united the Franks and
became their king.
• Clovis converted to the Roman Catholic
faith.
• Essentially, the Franks blended Germanic
and Roman cultural practices.
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Charlemagne
became king
of the Franks
in 768 A.D.
He conquered
a vast empire
and tried
to recreate
the glory of the
Roman
Empire.
Charlemagne
• Charlemagne became king of the Franks
in 768 A.D. He tried to recreate the glory
of the Roman Empire.
• He conquered a vast empire and was
proclaimed Emperor of the Holy Roman
Empire by Pope Leo III.
• He gave land to his nobles in exchange for
their loyalty and military service.
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Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy
Roman Emperor”.
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During his reign, Charlemagne tried to
recreate the Roman Empire. However,
after his death, the empire declined.
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The Rise of Feudalism
• While Charlemagne’s descendants were
not able to recreate the glory of the
Roman Empire, the Franks did greatly
affect life in the Middle Ages.
• Indeed, the Frankish practice of giving
land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and
military service spread throughout
Western Europe.
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Life during
the Middle Ages
was based on
a series of
exchanges.
Lesser Lords obeyed
more powerful Lords in
exchange for
land.
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Questions for Reflection:
• Why did historians call the early Middle
Ages the “Dark Ages”?
• Who was Clovis and how did his
conversion affect the Franks?
• Why did Pope Leo III crown Charlemagne
“Holy Roman Emperor”?
• Define feudalism.
• How is feudalism different from other
political systems?
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