2. Feudal Lords and the Church  The Franks emerged in A.D. 300 as the most influential of the Germanic tribes.  Settled in the area at the mouth of the Rhine River.  481 Clovis ruled the Franks. He established the Merovingian dynasty.  He became a Christian and had his followers also convert.  Clovis’ sons or successors became known as the “ Do Nothing Kings”.

7. Charles Martel and Chalemagne  The mayor of the Palace of France began to take over the duties of being king.  Charles Martel’s cavalry defeated the Moors at the battle of Tours in 732.  Pepin III was crowned by the Pope. Pepin III helped the pope to secure the Papal States.( Donation of Pepin)  Pepin’s son Charlemagne assumed the throne in 768 A.D.- 814 A.D.  He drove the Moors past the Pyrenees

13. Charlemagne and His Empire  Charlemagne was crowned King of the Romans on Christmas Day, 800 by pope Leo III.  Charlemagne’s kingdom was ruled by counts. The capital was in Aix la Chapelle. Aachen today.  Chalemagne appointed officials, missi dominici to review laws and government.  The government levied no taxes, because they didn’t need it.

14. Chapel at Aachen

18. Education and the Decline  Charlemagne founded a school and brought scholars in from all over Europe.  His favorite book was City of God by St. Augustine.  When Charlemagne dies Louis the Pius takes the throne. His sons divide the Empire at the Treaty of Verdun.  The kingdoms fight among themselves. Invaders attack the Magyars, Muslims, Slavs, and Vikings.

20. Carolingian Renaissance

25. The Vikings  The Vikings were the most feared invaders. Vikings, Norsemen, Danes, Norse were all names for Vikings.  Climate changes in the north caused migrations. Vikings that settled in France were Normans.  The Vikings enjoyed battle and their religion centered on god-heroes and Valhalla.  Vikings burial mounds include ships,