1. Early Middle Ages: Life in Western Europe after the Fall of the Roman Empire

2. After the Roman Empire...
After the fall of the Roman Empire in the west, it lead to great change in Western Europe.
Western Europe became fragmented (or broken up) into smaller Germanic kingdoms.

3. Germanic kingdoms
The Germanic tribes could not read or write so learning declined
The Germanic tribes carried on a rich oral tradition of songs and legends but usually no written language
No common language as Latin began to change from region to region to evolve into the Romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian, etc.)

4. Christianity Expands The Germanic tribes converted to Christianity
forced conquered people to convert also
To adapt to the new rural conditions of the Germanic kingdoms, the Church built monasteries

5. Roles of the Church
Monasteries were religious communities for monks and nuns
Monks and nuns were considered to be servants of God
Spent life dedicated to committing good works, hard work, and prayer
Were some of the few educated and opened schools
Also were sources of medical care

6. Monasteries maintained libraries which became sources for the preservation of Greco-Roman studies. Mostly focused on Christian studies though. Copied books by hand.

7. Pope Gregory I and Canon Law
Expanded the papal power (power of the pope) to be involved with politics
Used church money to do the following:
raise armies
repair roads
helped the poor
Under his guidance, the church became involved with law and judgment
Everyone had to follow canon law, or law of the church

8. Structure of the Church
Church had own organization based on status
Different ranks of clergy, or religious officials
priest, bishop, cardinal, etc.
Performed sacraments, or religious ceremonies
system became corrupt over the years as clergyman charged a fee for performing indulgences
this meant a person paid for forgiveness for their sins

9. What did Pope Gregory I do with the power of the church?
Review Question:
What did Pope Gregory I do with the power of the church?

10. They helped bring Christianity to all of Western Europe.
The Franks
They were a Germanic kingdom who had control over the area known as Gaul.
They helped bring Christianity to all of Western Europe.

11. Clovis and Christianity
Clovis, ruler of the Franks, converted to Christianity
Aligned his kingdom with the Church
Began a model of partnership between monarchs and the Church

12. Charles Martel
Charles Martel was a Frankish military and political leader
Helped expand the land controlled by the Franks
Led forces at the Battle of Tours against the Moors in 732
Preserved Christianity as the main religion of Europe

13. Carolingian Dynasty (751-987)
Charles Martel’s son, Pepin the Short, became king of the Franks
Established the Carolingian Dynasty
Grandson, Charlemagne, became one of the greatest kings in Western Europe

14. Charlemagne (reigned 768-814)
Expanded Frankish power to control much of Western Europe
Reunited for the first time since the Roman Empire
Credited as the founder of the French and German monarchies
Spread Christianity throughout kingdom

15. Age of Charlemagne Charlemagne regularly visited every part of kingdom
Limited the power of his nobles (counts)
Was crowned “Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire” on Christmas Day, 800
His rule helped define the culture of the Middle Ages

16. Treaty of Verdun Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, was a weak ruler
Led to conflict over power between grandsons
Civil war ended with the Treaty of Verdun that split the kingdom into 3 separate kingdoms
Central authority began to lose power

17. What impact did Charlemagne have on Europe?
Review Question:
What impact did Charlemagne have on Europe?

18. Invasions Change Europe Forever
What impact did the invasions of the Vikings, Magyars, and the Moors have on Europe?

19. Invasions

20. The Vikings Attacked from the north Attacked with quick speed
They beached their ships, came ashore and attacked, then slipped back out to sea
Greatly frightened the people of Europe - never knew when attack would come
They were also explorers and established colonies in the New World
Built impressive warships

21. The Magyars Excellent horsemen Attacked from east of the Danube River
Attacked isolated villages
Captured people to sell as slaves

22. The Moors (Muslims) Conquered Spain
Tried to conquer Western Europe, but lost at the Battle of Tours
Controlled Mediterranean Sea

23. Effects of the Invasions
Caused widespread disruption and disorder
Most Western Europeans lived in constant danger and fear
Turned to local leaders rather than central authority
Kings were ineffective

24. Feudalism System of landholding and governing
Based on mutual obligations - exchange of protection for services

25. Feudalism
lords
Lords gave fiefs (land) to knights (vassals) in exchange for military service.
The peasants worked on the land in exchange for protection against invasion.

26. Manorial System The manor was the lord’s estate
The manorial system was an economic arrangement that made the manors self- sufficient
Produced everything needed on site

27. Peasants on the Manor Lord provided housing, and protection
Peasants (serfs) had to work the land and maintained manor
bound to land on which they worked
Had to pay high amount of taxes
Lived in harsh conditions
Strict class system

28. Review Question:
What is feudalism?