Europe in the Middle Ages AKA Medieval Europe

Europe in the Middle Ages AKA Medieval Europe From 500 - 1500 AD

What are the Middle Ages? • Historians divide human divide or chunk history into different periods as they study it • The Middle Ages, or Medieval Period, refers to a long stretch of European history • Some historians have different opinions of when the Middle Ages start and end… NERD FIGHT!

Dates of the Middle Ages • Start with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and end during the highpoint of the European Renaissance • From the years 476 to 1500 AD • Or 500 to 1500 AD if you want to round it off

It’s not this… • This is a Middle. Aged Man • And a good depiction of a “Midlife Crisis”

Back To Rome • While Eastern Rome remained strong, the Western half collapsed • It was overrun by Germanic (a. k. a. barbaric) tribes • One of these tribes was named the Franks

The Franks • Were a nomadic, Germanic tribe that invaded the Roman province of Gaul – Gaul is now what we call France • They were ruled by a line of kings from a family named the Merovingian’s

Clovis: 481 -511 • Claimed a great deal of territory for the Franks • Helped the Franks become extremely powerful • Converted to Christianity • Many Franks converted after Clovis

Charles Martel • • • AKA The Hammer Worried about the rapid spread of Islam In order to help raise an army, he gave land to those who would fight for him • Army was called the “Vassals of the Lord” • In 732, leads the Franks in their defeat of Muslim armies at The Battle of Tours

The Rapid Spread of Islam During the Middle Ages

Battle of Tours 732 Tours

A Major Battle in History: Why?

• France stayed Christian • Would a large portion of Europeans be Muslim today if the battle had gone the other way? • Knights on horseback became very important

Pepin The Short 741 -768 • Charles’ son • Had a close relationship with the Pope • The Pope asked Pepin for protection from a surrounding Germanic tribe called the Lombards • The Pope came to France to officially crown Pepin King of the Franks • Pepin defeated the Lombards and gave the land to the Pope- territory called the Papal States or Vatican • These events cemented a strong relationship between the Pope and Frankish Kings

Map of the Papal States (Pope’s Lands)

Thursday 4/16 • • Notes on Charlemagne Rises above the rest and answer questions • Go over Charlemagne answers • Work on Map Packet

Charlemagne or Charles the Great: 768 -814 • Became king of all Frankish territory at 29 • Carolingian Dynasty is named after him • Great military leader and a smart, organized ruler • Very intelligent, but struggled all his life to learn to read and write • Deeply religious Christian • Was 6’ 4” tall, athletic, • 4 wives; 18 children

The Pope Was in A pinch • • • In 795 the Pope had died Pope Leo III was elected to be the new pope There was controversy over his election; many did not support him and wanted him out He was overthrown and driven out of Rome Came to Charlemagne for help Charlemagne put the Pope back into power

800 AD: Christmas Day • Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne “Holy Roman Emperor” • But this sends a message that the Pope is more powerful than the Emperor • It ties the Emperor to the Church; the Holy Roman Emperor must protect the Church • Set up future power struggles between rulers and popes

Charlemagne Expands his Empire Charlemagne's Empire: 814 A. D • United most of Western Europe – Areas of France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland • First time that Western Europe was united since the Fall of Western Rome

Charlemag ne’s Empire

Achievements of Charlemagne • Spread Christianity • Encouraged learning • Built roads, bridges, and defensive structures • Fairer laws • Split land into counties • Used Missi Domenicispies that made sure his officials were ruling properly

After Charlemagne • Louis the Pious (very religious)- only son to outlive Charlemagne • Louis the Pious had 4 legitimate sons 1. Lothair 2. Louis the German 3. Charles the Bald • • Yes, I know there are only three here! He didn’t want he sons to fight over territory He divided his kingdom in order to keep peace among his sons….

Fight Nice Boys • AND OF COURSE THIS DIDN’T WORK! • Several civil wars between his sons broke out while he was still alive • As soon as their dad was dead the remaining 3 sons fought like crazy • The war was eventually ended with the Treaty of Verdun • The Treaty of Verdun divided the kingdom among the 3 remaining sons

Louis the German Louis the Pious DAD Lothair Charles the Bald

Treaty of Verdun Louis the German Charles the Bald Lothair

Treaty of Verdun

End of the Empire • The fighting that took place after Charlemagne ended the Carolingian Dynasty • Series of wear rulers helped strengthen FEUDALISM – Wimpy kings and division of land caused folks to be loyal to local lords instead – Like in Japan- when people became loyal to the daimyo over the emperor

Fuel for Future Conflict: Why History Matters • The borders created in the Treaty of Verdun eventually grow into the borders between the Modern Germany and France • Lothair’s former kingdom is a region called Alsace Lorraine • Alsace Lorraine- is rich w/ natural resources like coal and iron; both Germany and France wanted it • A dispute over this territory was one cause of WWI

When Vikings Attack! The Viking Age: Circa 800 -1100 http: //www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes. html

Viking 101 • Boys – Sent away from home at five and learned: – To fight with spears, knives, and battle axes – Sailing, navigation, how to build and repair ships – Family trade or farming techniques • Girls – Learned to run the farm and the household – If strong enough they were also trained as warriors

The Drakkar • AKA: long ship, dragon ship • Was a war ship used to transport troops • Could be sailed or rowed; crew of 20 -30 people

The Knarr • Shorter and wider than the Drakkar • Ocean-going cargo ship

Viking Weaponry • Fear- blood red sails and serpent carvings on boat scared their victims • Battle-Axe- one to throw, one to carry • Other weapons- archers and excellent swords • Weapons were also a sign of social class • Berserker- extremely fierce (to the point of insane) Viking warriors

• Viking helmets did not have horns!!! • Vikings are credited with inventing chain mail

Results of Viking Raids • Vikings eventually settle down and mix with the people of the British Isles and France • The system of Feudalism is strengthened • Feudalism- Peasants work and pay taxes in exchange for land to farm and protection • France gives them a large piece of land: Normandy • Normandy- is named after the French word Viking: Norsemen or North Men

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