theearlyandcentralmi ddleages

The Early and Central Middle Ages: 

The Early and Central Middle Ages Germanic Kingdoms Unite Under Charlemagne

Overview: 

Overview The collapse of the Roman Empire ushers in a new era of European History called the Middle Ages or the “Medieval Period.” Western Roman EmpireGermanic Invasions Eastern Roman EmpireByzantine Empire

Germanic Kingdoms and the East Roman Empire: 

Germanic Kingdoms and the East Roman Empire

Germanic Invasions: 

Germanic Invasions 5th centuryinvaders from many different Germanic groups overran the Western ½ of the Roman Empire. Resultseries of changes. 1. Disruption of Trade (invasions of land and sea destroy cities as economic centers.) 2. Downfall of Cities (Cities abandoned as centers of administration.) 3. Population Shifts (Nobles retreat to rural areas.) 4. Decline of Learning (Germanic invaders cannot read of write. Knowledge of Greek almost lost. 5. Loss of a Common Language (Latin changes as German-speaking people mix with Roman population; dialects develop.)

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge: 

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge Upheaval from about 400 to 600 A.D. Small Germanic Kingdoms replace Roman Provinces. Borders are not fixed; change with warfare. Christian Church survives; provides order and security.

Concept of Government Changes: 

Concept of Government Changes Rome Loyalty to public government and written law I.E. citizenship in public state. Germanic Kingdoms Family ties and personal loyalty. Small communities. Government by unwritten rules and traditions. Chief leads a band of warriors, who have given a pledge of loyalty. *Germanic stress on personal ties made it impossible to establish orderly government for large territories.

Franks: 

Franks In the Roman province of Gaul a Germanic people called the Franks held power. Their leader, Clovis, brought Christianity to the region. In 511 A.D. Clovis unites the Franks into one kingdom.

Germanic Peoples Adopt Christianity: 

Germanic Peoples Adopt Christianity The strategic alliance between Clovis’s Frankish Kingdom and the Church marked the beginning of a special partnership between two powerful forces. In 600 A.D., the Church, with the help of Frankish rulers had converted many Germanic peoples. New converts settled in Rome’s former lands. How was this all possible? (1)Missionariesin the 4th and 5th century Germanic/Celtic peoples that bordered the Roman Empire. (2) Southern Europe was afraid of coastal attacks by the Muslims, this spurs conversion to Christianity.

Rise of Christian Monasticism: 

Rise of Christian Monasticism Monasteriesreligious communities for men Monksno private possessions; servants of God Conventsreligious communities for women Nunsno private possessions; servants of God

The Rule of Benedict: 

The Rule of Benedict Benedicts Rulestrict yet practical set of rules for monasteries. One fundamental ruledraw the individual slowly but steadily away from attachment to the world and love of self and toward the love of God. Benedicts sister, Scholastica, brings his Rule to convents.

More on Monasticism: 

More on Monasticism Monks opened schools, maintained libraries, and copied books. In 731 A.D. Venerable Bede wrote,”Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation.” (chief source of information about early Britain) Pope Gregory I expands papal power.

Gregory I Expands Papal Power: 

Gregory I Expands Papal Power Gregory the Great Papacy becomes secularworldly, power involved in politics. Pope’s palace is the center of Roman government. Uses the Church to raise armies, repair roads, help poor, and negotiate peace treaties with invaders I.E. the Lombard's. Acts like the mayor of Romeinfluence beyond the city. Entire region from Italy to England, and from Spain to western Germany is nicknamed “Christendom.” *The idea of a churchly kingdom, ruled by the pope, would become a central theme of the Middle Ages.

Europe Evolves: 

Europe Evolves Clovis dies in 511 A.D. (ruled over region of what is now France). Clovis greatly strengthened the Merovingian Dynasty, which was named after his legendary ancestor.

Charles Martel: 

Charles Martel In 700 A.D. an official known as majo domo or mayor of the palace became the most powerful in person in the kingdom. The mayor of the palace was in charge of royal households and estates.

Charles Martel: 

Charles Martel Unofficially commanded armies and made policy. By 719 A.D. Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer) held more power than the King. He extends Franks reign North, South, and East. Defeats the Muslims at the Battle of Tours in 732 A.D. Dies and passes on power to Pepin the Short.

Pepin the Short: 

Pepin the Short Fought Lombard's on behalf of the Pope. In exchange the Pope anointed Pepin “king by the grace of God.” This marks the beginning of the Carolingian Dynasty (751-987 A.D.)

The Rise of Charlemagne: 

The Rise of Charlemagne When Pepin the Short dies in 768 A.D. he leaves the Kingdom to his two sonsCarloman and Charles Carloman dies in 771, and Charlemagne (Charles the Great) seizes control of the Kingdom.

Charlemagne Continued…: 

Charlemagne Continued… Builds greatest empire since Ancient Rome. Spreads Christianity through conquests. Reunites Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire. In 800 A.D. his empire exceeds the Byzantine Empire. (2/3 Italy, France, small part of Spain, and German-Saxony)

Charlemagne Continued…: 

Charlemagne Continued… Travels to Rome to crush an unruly mob that had attacked the Pope. Pope Leo III crowns him emperor in recognition. (Roman Emperor) *This event signals the joining of Germanic power, the Church, and the heritage of the Roman empire.

Charlemagne’s Government: 

Charlemagne’s Government Limits the power of the nobles. Sends out royal agents to make sure counts are governing the counties justly. Regularly visits every part of the Kingdom. Judges cases. Settles disputes. Rewards faithful followers. Keeps close watch on the management of huge estates, which were the source of Carolingian Power.

Charlemagne’s Cultural Revival: 

Charlemagne’s Cultural Revival Monasteries open schools to train future monks and priests. Monasteries expand libraries. Monks make handwritten copies of Latin books.

Charlemagne’s Heirs are Weak Rulers: 

Charlemagne’s Heirs are Weak Rulers Charlemagne dies in 814 A.D. His son, Louis the Pious, takes over power a year before his death. After Louis the Pious dies, his three sons—Lothair, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German fight each other for the Empire. The Civil War ends in 843 A.D. with the Treaty of Verdun. Three Kingdoms are formed, but the Kings lose power. Central authority breaks down and leads to a feudal society.