CHAPTER 12: THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES

SECTION 1: EARLY EUROPEAN KINGDOMS

Eor Nave

World History

Period 5

A. THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND OF THE MIDDLE AGES IN EUROPE The weakened defense of the old Roman

borders cleared the path for Germanic speaking groups to invade Europe.

A. THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND OF THE MIDDLE AGES IN EUROPE

The geography of Western Europe Most of the land of Western Europe during the early

Middle Ages was covered with thick forest. There were large rivers that were easy for trading

ships to navigate and were full of fish. The sturdy Roman roads, which had once been the

pride of a powerful empire, were now badly in need of repair.

A. THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND OF THE MIDDLE AGES IN EUROPE

The people of the Middle Ages in Europe The people of the northern Europe did not share the

culture or the Latin language of the Romans. These people, often in organized groups, spoke Germanic

languages with words from Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Germanic peoples lived in small groups of farmers and

herders.

B. THE EMPIRE OF THE FRANKS

Charlemagne was crowned Roman emperor, ruler of a large empire in Western Europe.

B. THE EMPIRE OF THE FRANKS

Uniting the FranksAround, Clovis was

able to unite several of the Frankish groups.

After Clovis conquered Gaul in 496,he converted to Christianity.

He made allies with the remaining leaders of Rome and of the powerful Roman Catholic

B. THE EMPIRE OF THE FRANKS

The rise of the Charlemagne During the first ten years of Charlemagne’s rule, he

conquered the Lombard Kingdom in present day Northern Italy, fought against the Saxons in Northern Europe and, invaded Spain.

By the end of this period, he had united under him the largest region since the fall of Rome.

He improved culture, education, and law within his kingdom.

B. THE EMPIRE OF THE

FRANKS A Christian king

Charlemagne had his priests perform baptisms on the populations of the entire city.

He also demanded strict punishment for anyone who practiced other religions.

The Popes rival was the emperor on Constantinople, who claimed to be sole ruler over all Roman territories.

C. THE AGE OF CHARLEMAGNE Charlemagne’s rule encouraged culture

and learning to develop in Western Europe.

C. THE AGE OF CHARLEMAGNE

Schools And LearningCharlemagne wanted to foster

culture and reading.He could read, but he could

not Write.Alcuin arrived in 782 and

organized a school in the palace for the children of Charlemagne and other nobles.

C. THE AGE OF CHARLEMAGNE Culture

Charlemagne’s interest in learning led to a revival, or renewed interest, in the cultures of Rome and Greece.

Most books were produced by monks and were handwritten copies of the Bible And other books on early Christianity.

As interest in learning grew and expanded, the monks were also introduced to make copies of works by ancient Roman authors.

C. THE AGE OF CHARLEMAGNE

The Decline Of Charlemagne’s EmpireWith Charlemagne’s death

on 814, the empire he had built went into slow decline.

In 842, after 30 years of conflict, his three grandsons signed the Treaty of Verdun.

This treaty divided Charlemagne’s empire into three kingdoms, the lack of leadership allowed invaders to conquer large parts of the kingdom.

HERDERS One who tends or drives a herd.

CULTURE The quality in a person or society that

arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

CHARLEMAGNE 742–814, king of the Franks 768–814 as

Charles I, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 800–814.