Medieval Europe: Medieval Europe: The Frankish EmpireThe Frankish Empire

EQ: Who was Charlemagne & EQ: Who was Charlemagne & why is he significant in world why is he significant in world

history?history?

Germanic TribesGermanic Tribes

Germanic tribes had ended Roman Germanic tribes had ended Roman advances northadvances north

Warriors, herders, and farmersWarriors, herders, and farmersGoverned by unwritten lawsGoverned by unwritten lawsElected kingsElected kingsChristian Church remains powerful despite Christian Church remains powerful despite

the fall of Romethe fall of Rome

The FranksThe Franks

400-700CE: The Franks rise as the 400-700CE: The Franks rise as the dominant warrior tribedominant warrior tribe

Arise in Gaul (present-day France)Arise in Gaul (present-day France)Late 400s: Clovis becomes King of the Late 400s: Clovis becomes King of the

FranksFranksClovis converts to ChristianityClovis converts to Christianity

The church is a powerful allyThe church is a powerful ally

Battle of ToursBattle of Tours

In 732, the Muslims battle the Franks in In 732, the Muslims battle the Franks in ToursTours

The Franks win; Muslims conquer territory The Franks win; Muslims conquer territory in Spain but do not get into Francein Spain but do not get into France

CharlemagneCharlemagne

King of the Franks in the early 800sKing of the Franks in the early 800sEmpire stretches across France, Empire stretches across France,

Germany, and parts of ItalyGermany, and parts of ItalyCharlemagne works closely with the RCC Charlemagne works closely with the RCC

(Roman Catholic Church)(Roman Catholic Church)Empire falls apart upon his death in 814Empire falls apart upon his death in 814

Charlemagne’s InfluenceCharlemagne’s Influence

His strong gov’t became a model for future His strong gov’t became a model for future societiessocietiesHe assigned nobles to rule over local areasHe assigned nobles to rule over local areasNobles received land in return for their help in Nobles received land in return for their help in

defending the empiredefending the empire

Charlemagne’s InfluenceCharlemagne’s Influence

Helped spread Christianity to northern Helped spread Christianity to northern EuropeEurope

Set up schools for the education of Set up schools for the education of governing officialsgoverning officials

Established librariesEstablished libraries