Early middle Ages (Dark Ages)

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Early middle Ages (Dark Ages)

• Small independent kingdoms spring up in Gaul,
  Spain, Germany Belgium, and Britain (400s)

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The Frankish Kingdom
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Clovis

• The Frankish kingdom was established by Clovis in
  Gaul (500 ce). It was the most powerful and
  largest in the Early Middle Ages.
• Clovis was the first to convert his kingdom to
  Christianity. This won him favor with the Roman
  Catholic Church.
• His decedents allowed government administration
  to be run by an official known as the mayor of
  the palace.

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• One outstanding mayor of the palace, Charles
  Martel (Hammer) became leader of all the Franks.
• He won fame by turning back the invading Muslims.

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• He formed alliances with the church. Later his
  son appealed to the pope and became king. In
  return he granted lands (the Papal States) near
  Rome to the pope.
• From here on the church would be involved in
  political affairs.

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Charlemagne

• Grandson of Martel Charles the Great or
  Charlemagne was a talented general.

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Charlemagne

• Grandson of Martel Charles the Great or
  Charlemagne was a talented general.

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Charlemagne

• Grandson of Martel Charles the Great or
  Charlemagne was a talented general.

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• He was crowned Emperor of the Romans by the
  pope (Christmas 800) who wished to be seen as the
  crowner of kings and spiritual leader of Western
  Europe.

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• He expanded the Frankish kingdom and established
  uniform laws throughout the kingdom.
• Charlemagne's kingdom Light-green is kingdom in
• 771, dark-green was added by 800

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The Vikings
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• Charlemagnes death was followed by 2 centuries
  of attack form the Vikings who invaded Europe and
  Britain between 800 and 1000.
• Vikings were warriors and expert sailors from the
  north (Norway, Sweden, Denmark).

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• Due to overpopulation and poor lands at home,
  they raided along the coast.
• In 911 the Franks were forced so surrender a part
  of northern France to Vikings it became known as
  Normandy.

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• Around 1000, Leif Erickson led a group to
  L'Anse-aux-Meadows, Newfoundland (500 years
  before the discovery of America).