Early Middle Ages The Birth of Medieval Europe

What were the effects of the fall of Rome? n Strong govt. vanished n Economic life was in turmoil n Law & order broke down n Towns & cities were abandoned n Level of learning decreased

What characteristics of the Christian Church might account for its unifying role during the early Middle Ages? n Offered a single faith n Provided social organization

Church organization Pope Responsible for all Christian souls Bishops Supervised priests & settled disputes over church teachings & practices in their districts Priests The connection between the common people & God/Church Administered the sacraments, gave advice, taught right vs. wrong, help sick & needy Monks & Nuns Devoted lives to prayers & good works Missionaries Taught skills (carpentry, weaving, farming …) Gave shelter to travelers Produced illuminated manuscripts (preserved Latin & Greek)

How might the Church have been affected by its new role? n Acquired political power

Why do you think people accepted the Church’s assumption of responsibilities once fulfilled by the Roman govt. ? n Society needs a source of organization & structure (unity & order) n The Church was the only institution capable of this after the fall of Rome – Its strong organization & acceptance by most of the population allowed it to slowly assume the duties & powers usually only given to govts.

Early Medieval Leadership Timeline n 481: Frankish ruler Clovis united the Franks – Conquered the Roman & Germanic people in Gaul – Later captured some Visigoths in southern Gaul

n 687 – 714: Pepin II reunited the Franks – Known as “Mayor of the Palace” § The king’s chief officer n 717 – 741: Charles Martel (the Hammer) ruled over most of Gaul – In 732, at the Battle of Tours, he stopped the Muslim advance into Western Europe

n 751 - 768: Pepin the Short becomes “King of the Franks” – Supported by the pope because he had defended Church lands from the Lombards n 751 – 987: The Carolingian Dynasty

The Father of Europe n 768 – 814: Charlemagne (Charles the Great) becomes “King of the Franks” – – Devoted Christian Admired Greece & Rome Encouraged education Reunited Western Europe for the first time since Rome – His blending of Germanic culture with that of Greco. Roman culture and Christianity became the founding characteristics of Medieval Europe.

After Charlemagne n Late 800’s – early 1100’s: – Unfortunately no one is able to sustain his kingdom after his death & a new wave of Magyar & Viking invasions occur n 1100’s – 1300: – Feudalism will develop – Revival of towns & trade will lead to new business practices, increased agriculture & population growth.