1. The New Emperor of the West
Charlemagne

2. Charlemange King of the Franks
Emperor and ruler of the former Western Roman Empire
An imposing character (tall, stocky, look of a warrior)
48 years of rule 768 AD – 814 AD (72 yrs old)
Fought off the Lombards, Saxons, Avars, Slavs: 60 campaigns in all

3. Crowned Emperor
800 AD, Charlemagne marched to Italy to aid Pope Leo III quell a rebellion.
On Christmas day, 800 AD, Pope Leo crowned Charlemagne emperor.

4. Charlemagne and learning
Liked to have “lettered” people surrounding him; greatest scholar, an Englishman, Alcuin
Tried to learn to write, but gave up eventually
Encouraged the copying of books and manuscripts

5. Charlemagne and Religion
Anyone he conquered had to swear an oath of loyalty to him and to accept the Roman Catholic Church
Made sure that religious services were consistent throughout Europe.
Forced illiterate clergy to become educated
Tried to rid the church of corruption

6. Charlemagne’s Empire

7. End of Charlemagne Enemies at all borders (similar to Rome)
Magyars from the East
Muslims from Spain and Africa
Vikings from Scandinavia
Dies at 72, kingdom divided between sons.

8. Europe after Charlemagne
His sons fight over control of the empire
Europe breaks into smaller kingdoms as people look to local lords to defend them.
Outside threats are Magyars, Muslims, and Vikings
Vikings sailed all along the coast pillaging and raiding villages and setting up their own.
For a while Danish Vikings had their own kings in England

9. Medieval ENgland
In the early 11th century, the English throne was in question as the last king, Edward had died childless.
William, Duke of Normandy in France believed he had a stronger claim to the throne than Harold who was Edward’s brother in law.
William and the Norman army invade England
October 14, 1066, at the Battle of Hastings, William is victorious. A descendant of Vikings, William the Conqueror took firm control of England and divided his new lands using a system called Feudalism

10. Feudalism
A social order and political system that lasted until the 1200s.
Rooted in the people’s need for protection against invaders and in land owners’ need for defense.
Farmers turn to powerful landowners for protection.
People receive protection in return for service as soldiers or for turning over title and ownership of their land to the larger landowners.
This causes changes and new establishments in social structures and hierarchies.

11. How Feudalism works
The king gives land to lords, who swear an oath of fealty (loyalty).
Lords (or nobility) are the vassals of the king.
Lords give land to their knights, who swear to serve their lord.
Knights are the vassals of the Lord
Knights give land to peasants, who swear to provide food and service.
Peasants are the vassals of the knights.