Ch 15, Sec 1 The Early Middle Ages
Geography of Europe Most land is within 300 miles of oceans – Good for trade and fishing Rivers allowed trade in- land – Rhine, Danube, Vistula, Volga, and Seine Rivers Water and mountains allowed for shelter from war and different kingdoms to develop
Germanic Kingdoms Roman soldiers left most of Europe when their empire fell, which led to new groups creating new kingdoms in their place Anglo-Saxons-England Celts-Northern England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales Franks-France
The Franks Under King Clovis Became a Catholic follower – Caused all his followers to become Catholic Gained favor with Rome His sons divided all his land multiple times giving power to nobles called “mayors of the palace”
Charles Martel United the Franks Once Again Top mayor of the palace Wanted to unite all nobles again in France Gained support from the pope in Rome by pushing out Muslim armies out of Europe at the Battle of Tours
Pepin Took over for his father (Charles Martel) Supported the pope by pushing out the Lombards out of Italy Donated the land his conquered to the pope who then ruled the land known as the papal states
Who was Charlemagne? Pepin’s son who was really named Charles Pushed the Lombards and Saxons out of Rome – Forced them to convert to Christianity Went to war with the Muslims in Spain and won Created a large empire through war
Success of Charlemagne Given the name of Charlemagne which means “Charles the Great” Pope declared him the New Roman Emperor Created a government out of Aachen Set up schools for children of government officials
End of Charlemagne’s Empire Died in A.D. 814 His sons divided the empire into 3 parts The 3 parts were attacked by outside groups who took control – Muslims took France and Italy – Magyars took Hungary – Vikings took Scandinavia
Vikings in Scandinavia Little farmland Lived in fjords-steep sided valleys near the sea Great sailors and traders with longboats Started attacking and robbing villages and churches to survive
Holy Roman Empire Germany was divided into many small states Nobles united together by electing a king – Worthless-no power – Nobles wanted the power still Otto I-a strong king/protected the pope Frederick I and Frederick II-wanted to unite Italy and Germany under 1 government – Idea was fought by the pope and it was never put into place
Rise of the Catholic Church Started strong in Ireland with a priest named Patrick – Started churches and monasteries – Became places of learning and prayer Monks under Pope Gregory I became missionaries for the faith – Caused Catholicism to spread all over Europe
Roles of the Monks Spread the Catholic Faith Provided education Gave out food Helped the sick/dying Gave rest to travelers Developed better ways to farm Copied books for others to read Abbots (head monks) gave advice to kings
Gregory VII Pope in 1073 New rule-said kings could not appoint high- ranking Church officials Angered Henry IV who feared losing power/control of the nobles – Gregory excommunited Henry – Henry said he was no longer the pope
Concordat of Worms Signed after Henry and Gregory’s debate for power Henry was forced out of power but he waged war against the pope and put a new pope in place – Henry eventually lost The deal stated that only the pope could choose bishops and only the king could give bishops government jobs
Rise of the Pope’s Power Over Kings Popes would excommunicate kings not listening to them – Exclude them from church membership Popes could interdict the king’s people – Forbid giving Christian rituals to people causing the people to force their king to do what the pope wanted