Chapter 10, Lesson 1 The Early Middle Ages It Matters Because: Medieval European governments, religions, languages, and culture still influence the modern world.

The Fall of Rome Rome’s fall in 476 to Germanic invaders brought the end of the Western Roman Empire This led to a 1,000-year period known as the Middle Ages, or the Medieval Period Church became very powerful as common people lived in fear of death and hell Western Europe divided into kingdoms Geography played a huge role as rivers, mountains, and coasts steered settlement and trade

Geography of Europe Europe is a very large peninsula with wide rivers Access to the sea was available to most people This encouraged trade between European people and other parts of the world Wide rivers and mountain ranges allowed many diverse cultures to develop isolated from others Rivers and mountains also made it impossible for one ruler or people group to seize total control of the continent The islands of Britain and Ireland were isolated from the rest of the continent by the English Channel and the North Sea

Kingdoms in Western Europe Rome’s fall in 476 led to the many kingdoms forming in Western Europe in a short time Germanic groups quickly seized former Roman territories Former Empire citizens turned to the church for guidance and identity The Angles and Saxons settled in Britain Pushed the Celts to Scotland, Ireland, and Wales

The Franks Settled present-day France and western Germany Clovis becomes King and accepts Christianity Soon, nearly all Franks are Catholic Charles Martel rises to power with support of Pope in 714 Martel stops spread of Islam into Europe Defeated Spanish Muslim (called “Moors”) at Battle of Tours in 732 Made certain Christianity would be Europe’s dominant religion Martel’s son, Pepin, becomes king and defeats Lombards in present- day northern Italy Grants land to the Church This land becomes the Papal States

Charlemagne Pepin’s son Charles becomes King of the Franks, 768 Conquered France, Germany, northern Spain, and Italy Became known as Charles the Great, or Charlemagne In 800, Charlemagne defended the Pope against Roman nobles Pope names Charlemagne the Roman Emperor Charlemagne trusted Counts to help him control his empire Counts raised armies for Charlemagne The earliest form of feudalism in Europe Charlemagne opened a school for children of government officials Also learned to read and write late in his own life

Invaders When Charlemagne died in 814, his empire fell apart Invaders from all directions attacked Europe Muslims from North Africa raided France and Italy Nomads from Hungary called Magyars invaded eastern France and Italy Vikings from Scandinavia raided launched raids into much of Europe Expert sailors and fierce warriors Attacked coastal Europe in 700s and 800s Attacked villages and churches Stole food, animals, and treasure Burned what they could not steal Growth of feudalism largely due to Viking raids

The Holy Roman Empire Viking attacks weakened Frankish kingdoms In 936, nobles in Germany elected Otto of Saxony as the King of Germany Otto was a powerful king Defeated Magyars and freed Pope from control of Roman nobles Pope made Otto the first Holy Roman Emperor in 962 Holy Roman Empire included Germany and northern Italy Later Holy Roman Emperors conflicted with Pope over control Prevented both Germany and Italy from uniting until 1800s

The Church’s Influence When Roman Empire fell, citizens of the former Empire turned to the church for guidance Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great) sent missionaries throughout Europe to teach Catholic Christianity By 1050, most of Europe was Catholic Monks lived in monasteries Provided schools and hospitals Taught carpentry, weaving, farming Copied Christian writings and preserved classical Greek and Roman knowledge

Church Authority As monasteries increased influence, leaders became active in politics Kings believed the church should follow their authority, but Popes believed Kings should submit to the Church Pope Gregory VII declared only the Pope could appoint church officials Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV disagreed Pope declared he was no longer emperor and excommunicated him from the church Henry begged Pope for forgiveness, and Pope agreed Germans chose a new emperor Henry took Rome and named a new Pope In 1122, Holy Roman Emperor and Pope agreed only Pope could name church officials and only king could name government officials Concordat - agreement between Pope and a king