The Rise of the Franks

I. Invasions of Western Europe Fall of Roman Emp.=Middle Ages (500-1500) New society emerged that had roots in: 1. classical heritage of Rome 2. beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church 3. customs of various Germanic tribes 5th cent. --results of Germanic invasions 1. disruption of trade 2. downfall of cities 3. population shifts

A. Decline of Learning Germanic tribes = illiterate Result? Germanic tribes had oral tradition, but no written language

B. Loss of a Common Language Latin changed Different dialects developed By 800s: French, Spanish, & others evolved from Latin

II. Germanic Kingdoms Emerge 400-600: Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman provinces the Church survived Provided order & security

A. Governmental Concepts Change Govt. changed Roman society = govt. & written law Germanic society = family ties & personal loyalty Lived in small comms. governed by unwritten rules & traditions Germanic chiefs led bands of loyal warriors Warriors not obligated to obey unfamiliar king Stress on personal ties = impossible to establish orderly govt. for large territories Franks = Germanic tribe that played the greatest role

B. Clovis & the Merovingians 481: Clovis became king of a Frankish tribe --traced ancestry back to Merovech --conquered other Franks --seized Gaul

Became supporter of Christianity 511: united Franks into one kingdom Married a Christian Became supporter of Christianity Gained support from Church 511: united Franks into one kingdom Kingdom divided among sons Weak rulers Pepin II (687-714)—united & ruled the Frankish kingdom

C. Charles Martel & Pepin the Short Charles Martel (Pepin’s son) Succeed as mayor of palace Defeated Moors near Tours 741: died—left kingdom to Pepin III & Carloman Pepin the Short became sole ruler 751: pope crowned Pepin “King by the grace of God” This est. the Carolingian Dynasty (r. 751-987)

Pope asked for Pepin’s help against Lombards Gave territory around Rome to the Pope “Donation of Pepin” (Papal States) Formed alliance betw. Church & Franks

III. Germans Adopt Christianity Politics helped spread Christianity Franks converted many Germanic tribes Missionaries also spread the word of God

A. Monasteries, Convents, Manuscripts Monasteries: religious communities Monks Convents Nuns

Benedict (Italian monk) Wrote book describing rules of monasteries Scholastica (twin sister)—adapted rules for convent Monks & nuns devoted lives to prayer & good deeds Monasteries = best educated comms. Monks opened schools

731: the Venerable Bede (English monk) Wrote history of England Ecclesiastical History of the English People

IV. Charlemagne’s Empire Pepin’s son (r. 768-814) Little education, but deeply religious Conquered many lands

Goal: restore power & glory of the Old Roman Emp. Renovatio imperi romani 800: larger than Byz. Emp. Most powerful king in W. Euro. 800: Char. crowned emperor by Pope Leo III Signified that Char. was the successor to the emperors of Rome

A. Govt. Char’s. empire = several hundred regions/counties Ruled by a count Overseen by the Lord’s Messengers Raised own army & administered laws Capital city = Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen, Germany)

B. Education & Learning Char. Promoted education Founded a school in his palace Learned scholars (monks) taught Produced the Carolingian Bible Bishops created libraries & organized schools

C. Decline of the Frankish Emp. Char’s. empire crumbled under Louis the Pious 840: Louis died—Emp. divided among 3 sons Lothair, Charles the Bald, Louis of Germany

Char’s. descendents fought among themselves 870: middle kingdom broke up (divided by eastern & western Carolingian kings lost power Lack of strong rule led to feudalism