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Foundations of Medieval Europe The German Kingdoms The German Kingdoms • During the early Middle Ages, small German kingdoms ruled Italy, Gaul, Spain, Britain, and North Africa • These small kingdoms were constantly at war with one another • Eventually the Kingdom of the Franks gained control of the Western Roman Empire Roman Influence on Government • The form of government used by the German tribes was simple compared to what the Romans had used – The Germans depended on loyalty of their warriors instead of the Roman method of organized government – The German tribes also had few government officials and few taxes Roman influence on Gov. cont. – German laws were based on custom instead of the extensive Roman law codes • German laws were meant to prevent feuds between families • Only written laws were lists of fines for specific crimes – Theodoric, the Ostrogoth King, issued a simplified version of Roman law – Many German kingdoms kept their customs and languages which eventually became modern English Roman Influence on Gov. cont. • The Christian Church preserved some Roman traditions in the German kingdoms – Some Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity and new Christian communities were set up along Roman lines – German kings relied on the clergy because they were the only educated people they had access to The kingdom of the Franks • The Franks emerged as the strongest kingdom in the early Middle Ages – They lived in present-day Belgium and Germany – King Clovis, the cunning, ruthless Frank leader, conquered lands from the Pyrenees Mountains to central Europe – Clovis converted to Christianity Kingdom of the Franks cont. • Clovis converted because he believed that the support of the Church in Rome would make him more powerful than neighbouring leaders – The neighbouring kings were Christians that belonged to the Arian sec, one of the earliest Christian sects – This was seen as a heretic group Kingdoms of the Franks cont. – heretics = untrue Christians – The Church in Rome and its followers were now known as the Roman Catholic Church – When Clovis died his lands were divided among his sons – The power of the Franks diminished by the mid 600’s Invasion by the Muslims • In the 700’s, the German Kingdoms faced invasion by the Muslims – Muslims followed Islam, a religion founded in the Middle East in the 7th century – They pushed into Europe through Spain and started to push into France – Charles Martel, the Frankish Mayor of the Palace (the real ruler of the court) rallied the Christians against the invaders Age of Charlemagne • After defeating the Muslims, Charles Martel founded the Carolingian dynasty – He began to organize a strong central government – His son Pepin was elected king and his election was approved by the pope – After Pepin died, his son Charles continued to build on his grandfather and fathers strong governments Age of Charlemagne cont. • During his long reign he impressed his contemporaries and earned the name Charlemagne or Charles the Great – He conquered an empire that reunited most of the Western Roman Empire – He won lands back from the Muslims in Spain – He battled non-Christians in an effort to spread Christianity Age of Charlemagne cont. • In 800 Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III • He was an efficient, energetic ruler • He kept firm control over the empire from his court at Aachen • He recruited officials to carry out his policies – His policies were designed to improve government and unify the empire Age of Charlemagne cont. • Missi dominici, or lords messengers, checked on local nobles who were responsible for justice and defense of their own lands • Charlemagne helped established uniform laws and established judges to upholds those laws Age of Charlemagne cont. • Charlemagne promoted Christianity – Supported the work of missionaries who converted the Saxons – Encouraged the Church to organize parishes or rural districts • The parishes were each run by a priest • In order to support the parishes all Christians had to pay a tithe (10% of their income) to the church A Revival of Learning • Charlemagne encouraged education by inviting scholars from all over Europe to his court – An Anglo-Saxon monk named Alcuin, set up a palace school to teach Charlemagne’s children and the children of his nobles – Charlemagne issued rules for the education of the clergy • He ordered monasteries to establish schools and libraries where students could learn Latin Revival of Learning cont. – Monks also were responsible for making copies of the bible and the few surviving ancient Greek and Roman texts – They also developed the art of Illumination and a clear written script known as Carolingian miniscule – Charlemagne strengthened the foundations of medieval civilization by encouraging scholarship A New Wave of Invasions • Charlemagne's heirs weakened the empire by fighting among themselves • In 843, Charlemagne’s grandsons drew up the Treaty of Verdun that divided the empire into three kingdoms – The fighting for control over these regions would effect events in Europe for 1000 years Invasions cont. • The division of the empire occurred at the same time as a new wave of invaders was attacking Europe – The Slavs, the Magyars, and the Muslims were threats to the empire – The biggest threat however was from the Vikings Invasions cont. • The Vikings – The Vikings were farmers and traders that came from Scandinavia (present day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark – A growing population is believed to have forced them to seek lands in other parts of Europe – The king of the Franks gave an area in Northern France to some Viking raiders • This area is known as Normandy which comes from a French word meaning “men from the north” Invaders cont. • Viking settlements – Vikings explored, raided and traded in Eastern Europe, Iceland and Greenland – In 1000, Lief Ericson travelled to Newfoundland – In the 9th century the Vikings occupied part of England where they were known as the Danes • The area they occuped became known as the Danelaw because they lived there under their own laws Invaders cont. • The invasions disrupted life in Western Europe but they did not completely destroy all the work of Charlemagne – The church sent missionaries to convert the Vikings – Under strong leaders the people of Western Europe resisted the invaders