Medieval Foundations and The Age of Charlemagne

The beginning of the Early Middle Ages

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The decline of the Western Roman Empire

Role of Germanic tribes:

• Customs culturally diffused

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Classical Heritage of Rome:

• Religion (Christian beliefs), language (Latin)

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Rise of the Roman Catholic Church

• Preserved Greco-Roman culture
• Replaced secular authority

(Central to life during the Early Middle Ages)

• Missionaries and Priests took on social and religious roles

Early Middle Ages

Dark Ages (500 CE-1000 CE): scholars named this as a time when the forces of darkness (barbarians) overwhelmed the forces of light (Romans)

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Rise of influence of barbarians as Roman Emperors had granted barbarian mercenaries land with the Roman Empire in return for military service and it was these barbarians who eventually became the new rulers.

Barbarian Kingdoms

By the sixth century, the Western Roman Empire had been replaced by smaller kingdoms ruled by barbarian kings (or Chieftains) granting only nominal recognition to the Emperor. 

Franks

• Present-day France and Germany

The Franks were a group of Germanic peoples whose name was first mentioned in 3rd century. Roman sources associated with tribes on the Lower and Middle Rhine, on the edge of the Roman Empire.

Anglo-Saxons

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These Germanic invaders of Britain came from areas in and around what is now Denmark. By A.D 600 they were well established in Britain.

Initially they were pagans but by the end of the 7th century they had been converted to Christianity by St. Augustine of Canterbury and other missionaries from the continent.

Vikings

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Scandinavian Norsemen (“Northmen”) explored Europe by its seas and rivers for trade, raids, colonization, and conquest due to a lack of arable land and overpopulation on that land.

Social, religious, and cultural development

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The Viking attacks took place mostly in the 9th and 10th centuries.

• Tribal units were led by chieftains.
• Lack of arable land led to exploration and invasion.
• Invasions disrupted trade; towns declined.

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The Vikings observed a polytheistic religion, but gradually converted to Christianity.

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Viking attacks contributed to the collapse of the Frankish Empire (founded by Charlemagne).

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Vikings settled in the areas known today as Russia, Iceland, and Greenland, and briefly in North America.

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They enhanced the eastern European sea and river trade and flourished because of it.

Other Invaders

The Lombards were a Germanic people who established a kingdom in Northern Italy. They were originally from Scandinavia.

Normans

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Later they swore allegiance to the King of France (Charles the Simple) and received the small lower Seine area from him in 911. This area expanded over time to become the Duchy of Normandy.

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In 1944, this region would be the sight of the largest invasion force in world history: D-Day

William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy) conquered England in 1066.

Goths

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The Goths were an East Germanic tribe originating in Scandinavia (specifically Gotaland and Gotland). They migrated southwards and conquered parts of the Roman Empire.

Vandals

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The Vandals were an East Germanic tribe that entered the late Roman Empire during the 5th century.

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They created a state in North Africa, centered on the city of Carthage.

Magyars

From central Europe, the Magyars moved out from their base in Hungary. They launch raiding parties as far afield as Bremen in Germany, Orleans in France and Constantinople.

Impacts of the Invaders and Impacts on the Invaders

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Invaders were divided into tribal units and were led by chieftains.

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Invasions by Angles, Saxons, and Magyars disrupted the social, economic, and political order of Europe.

• Invasions disrupted trade; towns declined, and the feudal system was strengthened

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The Angles, Saxons, and Magyars gradually converted to Christianity.

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After converting to Christianity, the Angles, Saxons, and Magyars adopted literacy.

Gaul, Clovis I

From Battle to Convert!

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In 496 CE (AD), facing defeat in battle, Clovis I called upon the Christian god to deliver him from his enemies.

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After Clovis won the battle, he and his warriors converted to Christianity.

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The Roman Catholic Church extended their approval and support for Clovis’ victory and conversion, establishing a new precedent (standard) - Church/Monarch = Allies

The Merovingians

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Clovis I was one of the first Merovingian kings (named after the Franks’ legendary leader, Merovech)

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They establish the first dynasty after the Romans, ruling for 300 years

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By 700 CE (AD), the Merovingian kings’ power declined and officials and aristocrats ran the kingdom

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732 CE (AD): Charles Martel (mayor of the Palace), commanded the frankish army and defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Tours

• This stopped the Muslim empire from expanding further into western Europe

The Carolingian Dynasty

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Charles Martel’s son, Pepin the Short, fought the Lombards (Germanic force, invading central Itay)

• In exchange, the Pope anointed him king
• First time the catholic Church crowned a king (Church = King Maker = POLITICAL POWER!)

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Pepin was the first king of the Carolingian Dynasty, sworn to protect the Papcy

(The Roman Catholic Church)

• His son will go to be emperor!

Charlemagne, The Holy Roman Emperor

768-843 CE (AD)

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Charles the Great, a.k.a Charlemagne, created an empire through military conquest that would unite Western Europe!

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After defending Rome, Pope Leo III granted Charlemagne the title of “Roman Emperor” securing the relationship between Frankish kings and the papacy

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Charlemagne became the first Roman Emperor since 476 ad!

• Significance: coming together of Germanic power, Roman heritage, and the Roman Catholic Church

The Pope crowning Charlemagne emperor, increased the power of the Roman Catholic Church and established it as a force in political life.

• The church (aka the pope) becomes the “Kingmaker” in Europe

Charlemagne’s Empire

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Under Charlemagne, most of Western Europe was united (France, Germany, Northern Italy)

Christianity became the religion of Western Europe

Churches, roads, and schools were built to unify the empire

• Ordered the standardization of Latin textbooks
• Established schools for clergy

Latin became the formal language of Western Europe and The Church (Roman Heritage redefined and linked to the Church and to the Monarchs)