Middle AgesMiddle Ages

The period of European History that is also known as the medieval period from 500-1500 A.D.

Roots:

Classical Rome

Roman Catholic Church

Customs of Germanic tribes

PeriodizationPeriodizationPeriodizationPeriodization

Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000

High Middle Ages: 1000 – 1250

Late Middle Ages: 1250 - 1500

Europe in the 6cEurope in the 6cEurope in the 6cEurope in the 6c

Changes in Western Europe

Germanic invaders overrun the western part of the Roman Empire

disruption of trade caused money to become scarce

cities were abandoned

nobles fled to the rural areas

The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Decline of Learning

Few people except church people could read or write

Greek knowledge almost lost

Germanic tribes had no written language

* Causes Latin to change

* Different dialects to develop

( French & Spanish evolve)

Germanic Kingdoms Emerge

• Focus on personal relationships

• No loyalty to a king they never saw

-> did not pay tax

collectors• Warriors loyal to

the local noble

Clovis Rules the Franks

• Franks control the Roman province of Gaul

- France & Switzerland• Leader was Clovis

- wife urged him to convert to Christianity

- After winning battle, he & 3,000 warriors baptized

Clovis Rules the Franks

The name Clovis would eventually evolve into the name Louis

the most popular French name

Faith of the Middle Ages

• Christianity• Monasteries -

monks• Convents - nuns• Places of religious

study

A Medieval Monastery: The A Medieval Monastery: The ScriptoriumScriptoriumA Medieval Monastery: The A Medieval Monastery: The ScriptoriumScriptorium

Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated Manuscripts

A Medieval Monk’s DayA Medieval Monk’s DayA Medieval Monk’s DayA Medieval Monk’s Day

The The Medieval Catholic Church Catholic ChurchThe The Medieval Catholic Church Catholic Church

St. Benedict – Benedictine Rule of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

provided schools for the children of the upper class.

inns, hospitals, refuge in times of war.

libraries & scriptoria to copy books and illuminate manuscripts.

monks missionaries to the barbarians. ]

St. Benedict 480-543

Gregory I• 590: Gregory I

Pope- Head of the church of Rome

• Church became secular involved in

politics- giving money to governments

money used for armies, roads, & poor

Charles Martel (“The Hammer”) 714-741

• Major Domo (mayor of the palace) became more powerful than king

• Extended Frank rule

Charles Martel (“The Hammer”) 714-741

• Battle of Tours (732)– Defeats

Muslims from Spain

– If lost, W. Europe might become part of Muslim Empire

• Made him a Christian hero

Pepin the Short (741-768)

• Son of Charles and becomes major domo

• Helps Pope fight the Lombards in Italy

• Pope crowns him King = Carolingian Dynasty

The Carolingian RenaissanceThe Carolingian RenaissanceThe Carolingian RenaissanceThe Carolingian Renaissance

Charlemagne: 768 to 814Charlemagne: 768 to 814Charlemagne: 768 to 814Charlemagne: 768 to 814

Charlemagne (Charles the Great) 768-814

• His armies reunite Western Europe

• Spreads Christianity• 800: Goes to Rome to

protect Pope Leo III from mobs

• Pope crowns him emperor given title “Emperor of Rome”

• Franks, Church, and Roman heritage now united

Charlemagne’s EmpireCharlemagne’s EmpireCharlemagne’s EmpireCharlemagne’s Empire

Pope Crowned CharlemagnePope Crowned CharlemagneHoly Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800Pope Crowned CharlemagnePope Crowned CharlemagneHoly Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800Holy Roman Emperor: Dec. 25, 800

Charlemagne’s Legacy• Limited authority

of nobles by sending royal agents to watch over them

• Encourages learning and orders monasteries to open schools to train more monks

Weak Heirs• Louis the Pious

(son) rules poorly• His 3 grandsons

fight over control of the empire

Lothair

Charles the

Bald

Louis the German

• 843: Treaty of Verdun divides empire into 3 areas

Charlemagne’s Empire Collapses:Treaty of Verdun, 843Charlemagne’s Empire Collapses:Treaty of Verdun, 843