Download ppt - Early middle Ages (Dark Ages) Small independent kingdoms spring up in Gaul, Spain, Germany Belgium, and Britain (400’s)

Early middle Ages (Dark Ages)

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

The Frankish Kingdom

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”.

• One outstanding mayor of the palace, Charles Martel (Hammer) became leader of all the Franks.

• He won fame by turning back the invading Muslims.

• 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.

Charlemagne

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

Charlemagne


Charlemagne


• 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.

• 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

The Vikings

• Charlemagne’s 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).

• 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.

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