Western Europe in the Early Middle Ages
The German Barbarians: Much of what we know about the early German tribes at this time actually comes from the __Romans__. The historian, _Tacitus___, wrote much about these people and described them as fierce _warriors_ who had no written laws and believed in trial by __ordeal___ in which someone had to show physical endurance or trial by combat. They originally were __nomads_, but eventually began to settled down and take up __farming__. The Germans broke themselves into tribes and relied on a military chief (_chieftain_) who had loyal followers who would fight, this organizational system was called the __Commitatus___. Over time these tribes began to move into _Roman__ territory where they were allowed to live as foederati or _allies_ of the Romans who would protect the frontier. By the 4th Century most of the tribes had converted to _Christianity__. With their conquest of Rome, Europe entered the “__Dark_ Ages” when learning and communication slowly stopped.
The German Invasions: With the advance of the _Huns__ from Asia the German tribes began to invade the Roman Empire and by _476_ AD ended the Western Roman Empire when a German became emperor. Numerous tribes were part of this invasion.
The __Visigoths__ invaded the Eastern Roman Empire, even killing the emperor in the Battle of __Adrianople_ (378 AD). In 410 under the leadership of _Alaric_ the Visigoths capture Rome. They will eventually settle down in _Spain__.
The _Vandals_ crossed into North _Africa_ from Spain and in 455 they sacked _Rome_itself. We get the word for a person who _destroys_ property from them.
The _Burgundians_ originally settled in Gaul (_France_) as foederati and established a kingdom in the Rhone Valley, Burgundy is a province in France and a type of _wine/color_.
The _Ostrogoths_ under the blessings of the Eastern Roman Emperor Zeno, they took control of Rome and overthrew the German Emperor Odoacer. In 489 under their king _Theodoric_ the established a kingdom in Italy.
The _Saxons_ along with their neighbors the Angles and Jutes invaded _Britain_. With the Roman Empire crumbling they fought the local _Celts_ led by King _Arthur_. They would settle there and even give their name to _England_ = “Angle-land.” Many would remain in _Saxony_, Germany and fight other Germans.
The Lombards established a kingdom in northern __Italy_.
The Franks: The most powerful of the _German_ tribes who would establish a kingdom that would unite what was Roman __Gaul_. Much of what we know of the Franks comes from _Gregory__ of Tours who wrote History of the Franks. The Franks were united under __Clovis__. Clovis (481-511)started the Merovingian _dynasty_ ( a family that rules a place) and through wars and because of his wife converted to __Catholicism___, eventually forcing all _Franks_ to become Catholics. Clovis did this to get the support of the large Catholic population of __Gaul_ and to have the pope’s support against _Arian_ Christian tribes. Clovis divided his kingdom into smaller parts ruled by _counts_ or _dukes_ appointed by the king. German law and parts of the _Roman_ legal system were combined into one legal system for the entire Frankish empire. Following Clovis’ death the kingdom was divided amongst his _sons_ and the kings grew weaker over time as real power was held by the _Mayor_ of the Palace, the chief officials of the king.
Write a sentence with:
Clovis, Franks, counts, Gaul
The Carolingians: Originally Mayors of the Palace who take their name from “Carolus,” the _Latin_ word for Charles. Charles _Martel_ (“The _Hammer_”) reunited all the Franks and in 732 at the Battle of _Tours__ defeated the __Muslim (Moors)_ in a major battle halting the Muslim expansion into Europe at _Spain_. He would also finance the missionary work of St. _Boniface_ who tried to convert Arian Germans to _Catholicism__. His son, _Pepin_ the Short (Pepin III),took the throne from the last _Merovingian__ king with the support of the Frankish nobles. To gain support among Catholics he was anointed king by the _pope_ in 754. This was important because it set the __precedent__ (example to be followed) that the pope had the power to crown kings and thus the _pope_ was politically more powerful than kings. In exchange for the papal blessing Pepin had to protect the Pope from the _Lombards_ who were demanding annual _tribute (pay)_. Pepin also forced the Lombards to give land in Italy to the pope known as the _Papal_ States (this land would be under the control of the pope until 1870). This gift of land was known as the _Donation__ of Pepin.
Write a sentence with:
Pepin, pope, Papal States,
Charles Martel
Charlemagne (Charles the Great_): The son of _Pepin__ and the greatest of the Frankish kings who rule from 768 to 814. Charlemagne increased the size of the Frankish kingdom to its greatest size by again defeating the Lombards in __Italy_, conquering land in southern Germany, and fighting a 30 year war against the _Saxons_ who he forced to convert to Christianity and set up a military buffer zone known as the “Dane Mark” = _Denmark_. He protected the kingdom from the Muslims in _Spain__ . And on Christmas Day in 800 he was crowned “_Emperor_ of the Romans” by Pope Leo III trying to re-establish the old Roman Empire. Instead this laid the foundation of the _Holy_ Roman Empire.
From his capital at _Aachen__ in Germany, Charlemagne had to run a huge empire. To help him he divided the empire into __counties__ each run by a count. To ensure that a count was following the king’s orders, Charlemagne created the _Missi_ __Dominici_ (the king’s messengers) who were counts and bishops traveling in pairs to inspect the counties. This also ensured that there were no _rebellions__ and the borders were properly protected for an invasion.
Charlemagne also strengthened the power of the church by allowing the pope to _crown_ him emperor, again giving popes the power to claim authority over _kings_. He also defended the pope from invasions and order that a tax or _tithe (1/10th)_ be paid by all to support the church and keep up the local _parishes__.
Write a sentence: Missi Dominic, counts, parishes
Charlemagne, Holy Roman Empire,
Tithe
Carolingian Renaissance (Rebirth of __Learning__): Despite being unable to _read_, Charlemagne encouraged learning in his empire. Numerous _schools_ were built in monasteries and cathedrals throughout his empire. Charlemagne built a school for the sons of his _nobles_ to learn at his capital of _Aachen_. He hired _Alcuin_, an English priest and scholar to run the school. In this time many old _Greek__ and _Roman_ books were recopied and preserved.
Write a sentence
Charlemagne, Alcuin, nobles
Aachen
The Break Up of the Frankish Empire: Because the empire had so many different _people__ it was difficult to rule. Charlemagne’s __grandsons___ fought for control of the empire in a series of _wars_. In 843 with the Treaty of _Verdun___the empire was divided amongst the grandsons:
- Louis the _German__ received the eastern part that spoke __German_.
- Charles the _Bald_ received the western part that spoke _French_.
- Lothair the _Elder_ received the area in between and most of northern _Italy__.
Invasions of the Vikings, Magyars, and Muslims: The _9th_ Century was threatened by three groups of invaders. The Vikings or _Norsemen__ came from Scandinavia and became raiders due to lack of __farmland__ and over-population. The _Magyars_from Hungary invaded from the east like the Huns before them. And the Muslims invaded from across the Mediterranean Sea from __North_ Africa.