Early Middle Ages Geography Rivers are important because

Early Middle Ages

Geography • Rivers are important because they make trade easier and provide a natural boundary and barrier that protects from war. • The Celts were living in Southeastern Britain when the Angles and the Saxons invaded. They fled into the mountains

Clovis • The Franks became Catholic because Clovis converted after a promise and a winning battle. He won support of Romans living in the area as well.

Battle of Tours • Stopped Muslim advance into Europe. • Helped keep Christianity the major religion in Europe

Charles Martel • The Hammer • Defeated Muslims at Battle of Tours

Charlemagne • Crowned new Roman emperor in 800 A. D. • He was concerned because he did not want the people to think that the Pope had all the power or the power to decide who was emperor.

Local Power • In A. D. 800 power transferred to nobles • At center of feudal territory was noble’s castle or fortress. • Lords granted land called a fief for service in the army. • Serfs were the lord’s workers. They could not be sold, nor could their small parcels of land be taken by the lord

Knights • Knights swore loyalty to one lord, and then the emperor or King. • The invention of the stirrup allowed knights to ride horses.

Serfs • The lord’s workers • Granted small parcels of land which could not be taken away. • Serfs could be free if they ran away and lived in towns for more than one year • The invention of the horse collar improved farming because horses could plow much faster than oxen.

Townspeople • Only men could be citizens of medieval towns. • Pollution was a big problem • Women ran the household, raised the children, managed the family’s money, and sometimes helped their husbands with their trades.

Vikings • Came from Scandinavia • Lived in villages among fjords Little farmland Norsemen- Northmen Skilled sailors of long boats Survive rough seas Navigate rivers

Vikings • 700 s and 800 s began raiding Europe • Probably because the land could not support the population • Viking means raiding • Normandy was part of France that the Vikings conquered

Otto I (ODO? ) • Declared Holy Roman Emperor • He sent troops to Italy to protect the pope and defeat the Magyars. • His territory was known as the Holy Roman Empire

Pope Gregory the Great • Wanted all of Europe to become Christian • Monasteries were a place of rest for travelers places of education, and hospitals

Gregory VII • Wanted to stop nobles and kings from interfering in church. • angered Henry IV, who refused to obey • Henry was excommunicated • Nobles defended Pope, Henry backed down. • Stood barefoot in the snow asking to be forgiven

Concordat of Worms • Agreement between the pope and Holy Roman Emperor • Only pope can choose bishops • Only emperor could give bishops jobs in government