1. 476 A.D.480 A.D. After the Roman Empire fell in the west, Europe was taken over by Germanic Kingdoms (barbarians). Rome remains a center of the Christian Church (become the Roman Catholic Church following the schism). After the Roman Empire fell in the west, Europe was taken over by Germanic Kingdoms (barbarians). Rome remains a center of the Christian Church (become the Roman Catholic Church following the schism). One of the Germanic Kingdoms, the Franks, become the most powerful of all the kingdoms. The Franks were powerful warriors who began fighting with warriors riding on horseback- knights. The ruler (king) of the Franks gave knights land in exchange for their loyalty. One of the Germanic Kingdoms, the Franks, become the most powerful of all the kingdoms. The Franks were powerful warriors who began fighting with warriors riding on horseback- knights. The ruler (king) of the Franks gave knights land in exchange for their loyalty.

2. 481 A.D.511 A.D. -731 A.D. The first great leader (king) of the Franks was Clovis. Clovis conquered neighboring lands and increased the size of the Frankish Kingdom. He was a Christian and he was supported by the Christian church. He was encouraged by the church to spread Christianity throughout his kingdom. The first great leader (king) of the Franks was Clovis. Clovis conquered neighboring lands and increased the size of the Frankish Kingdom. He was a Christian and he was supported by the Christian church. He was encouraged by the church to spread Christianity throughout his kingdom. Clovis’ sons and grandsons are pathetic leaders. Fighting amongst themselves. Mayors of the Palace (officials of the king) become true leaders of the kingdom. Clovis’ sons and grandsons are pathetic leaders. Fighting amongst themselves. Mayors of the Palace (officials of the king) become true leaders of the kingdom.

3. 732 A.D.751 A.D. Mayor of the Palace, Charles “The Hammer” Martel defeats Muslims at Tours, France. Europe remains Christian. Mayor of the Palace, Charles “The Hammer” Martel defeats Muslims at Tours, France. Europe remains Christian. Martel’s son, Pepin is recognized by the church as the king of the Franks. 1 st king to rule with the church’s blessing. Martel’s son, Pepin is recognized by the church as the king of the Franks. 1 st king to rule with the church’s blessing.

4. 768 A.D. 814 A.D. Charlemagne rules with the blessing of the church. Needing Charlemagne’s support (military and religious), the church crowns Charlemagne emperor of the former Western Roman Empire. Charlemagne rules with the blessing of the church. Needing Charlemagne’s support (military and religious), the church crowns Charlemagne emperor of the former Western Roman Empire. Charlemagne fought in over 60 wars, expanded the Frankish Empire, and spreading Christianity throughout his empire. Charlemagne fought in over 60 wars, expanded the Frankish Empire, and spreading Christianity throughout his empire. Charlemagne united the church and government. Charlemagne united the church and government. Charlemagne encouraged education. Charlemagne encouraged education. Scribes copied books to save them for future generations. Christian services were required to be the same. He forced church leaders to learn how to read and write. At the end of his life, his empire began to fall apart due to invasions from Magyars, Muslims, and the Vikings. He died in 814 A.D. At the end of his life, his empire began to fall apart due to invasions from Magyars, Muslims, and the Vikings. He died in 814 A.D.

5. 814 A.D. 899 A.D. Charlemagne’s sons fight over control of the empire and decide to divide rule of the empire. Charlemagne’s sons fight over control of the empire and decide to divide rule of the empire. Vikings saw this as an opportunity to invade Europe (no protection). Vikings saw this as an opportunity to invade Europe (no protection). As the Frankish Empire fell apart, Europe was divided into smaller kingdoms (ruled by wealthy landowners) people began looking to these landowners for protection. As the Frankish Empire fell apart, Europe was divided into smaller kingdoms (ruled by wealthy landowners) people began looking to these landowners for protection. King Alfred “The Great” of England defends his lands against Viking invasions. He dies in 899 A.D. King Alfred “The Great” of England defends his lands against Viking invasions. He dies in 899 A.D.

6. 900 A.D. 1066 A.D. King Edward (a relative of King Alfred “The Great” dies without children = no heir to the throne (no family member to take over as king). King Edward (a relative of King Alfred “The Great” dies without children = no heir to the throne (no family member to take over as king). English council (group of government officials) chooses Edward’s brother-in-law, Harold, as king. English council (group of government officials) chooses Edward’s brother-in-law, Harold, as king. Edward’s cousin, Duke William of Normandy (France) believed he had the right to the throne. Edward’s cousin, Duke William of Normandy (France) believed he had the right to the throne. Duke William invades England (“Battle of Hastings”) and defeats Harold’s army. Duke William invades England (“Battle of Hastings”) and defeats Harold’s army. “William the Conqueror” brings feudalism to England. “William the Conqueror” brings feudalism to England.

7. 1066 A.D. 1198 A.D. Feudal Hierarchy Feudal HierarchyMonarch (king or queen) Lord (Monarch’s vassal who was a wealthy noble) Knight (Lord’s vassal) Peasant (paid servants) Serf (forced to work the land) Hierarchy – a group of people organized by rank or authority. Hierarchy – a group of people organized by rank or authority. Fief- a piece of a monarch’s or lord’s land. Fief- a piece of a monarch’s or lord’s land. Oath of Fealty – sworn loyalty to a lord or monarch. Oath of Fealty – sworn loyalty to a lord or monarch. Manor- a fief with a castle (or manor house), a village, and farmland. Manors often had churches and monasteries. Manor- a fief with a castle (or manor house), a village, and farmland. Manors often had churches and monasteries.

8. 1199 A.D. 1215 A.D. Feudal lords become more powerful as they tax the people living on their manor. Feudal lords become more powerful as they tax the people living on their manor. King John loses many wars, thus loosing land. King John loses many wars, thus loosing land. King John demands higher taxes from the lords to pay for these wars, causing the lords to be angry with his rule. King John demands higher taxes from the lords to pay for these wars, causing the lords to be angry with his rule. An argument between King John and the church results in the church rejecting the people of England. An argument between King John and the church results in the church rejecting the people of England. In 1215 A.D., a group of lords create the Magna Carta, a document recognizing the rights of the people (especially the lords). In 1215 A.D., a group of lords create the Magna Carta, a document recognizing the rights of the people (especially the lords). The Magna Carta also stated that the king/queen was not above the law and that he/she could not take away any persons rights. The Magna Carta also stated that the king/queen was not above the law and that he/she could not take away any persons rights. The creation of the Magna Carta marks the beginning of the end of feudalism. The creation of the Magna Carta marks the beginning of the end of feudalism.