Chapter 19

The Early Middle Ages

Germanic groups invaded western Roman Empire.

These groups overthrew the last emperor in Rome.

Western Europe was then divided into many kingdoms, and many Catholic Christianity strongly influenced societies.

Fall of Rome

Rivers played an important role in Europe's growth.

Major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and Po all flowed from inland mountains into the oceans and seas surrounding the continent.

Rivers and Seas

Strongest Germanic group They settled in what is now France, and

western Germany. Clovis was their first King. Clovis was the first Germanic ruler to accept

Catholic Christianity. Soon after all Franks became Catholic.

The Franks in Europe

After death of Clovis, the power switched from the king to the church.

Charles Martel or “Charles the Hammer” became the mayor of the palace, and his power was given to him by the Pope.

Stopped the spread of Islam.

The Franks in Europe cont.

Charlemagne

Grandson of Charles Martel. Became the King of the Franks Nearly doubled the size of the kingdom to

include what is today Germany, France, northern Spain, and most of Italy.

For the first time since the fall of Rome, most of Western Europe was ruled under one government.

This earned the name “Charlemagne” or “ Charles the Great”.

Charlemagne

Charlemagne came to Rome and defended the Pope from unruly Roman nobles.

The Pope then declared Charlemagne as the new Roman emperor.

Charlemagne then wanted to advance learning, and established a school for children of government officials.

The students studied religion, Latin, music, literature, and arithmetic.

Charlemagne cont.

After Charlemagne died his empire split into 3 kingdoms.

Muslims, Magyars, and Vikings all invaded.Vikings raided from their homeland in

Scandinavia. Vikings attacked villages and churches.

Waves of Invaders

Scandinavia

The eastern Frankish kingdom was known as Germany

Germany was ruled by nobles Duke Otto of Saxony was elected king of

GermanyDefeated the invaders Duke Otto of Saxony tried to unite under a

central government but the pope wanted freedom.

Pope joined Italy’s cities to resist the emperors forces.

Formation of the Holy Roman Empire

Priest named Patrick traveled to Ireland and spread Christianity.

This inspired Pope Gregory I to spread Christianity.

Gregory asked monks to become missionaries.

Missionaries- people who are sent out to teach their religion.

Most of Western Europe became Catholic Christians.

The Church and Its Influence

Provided schools and hospitalsTaught carpentry and weavingImproved farms Monks lived in communities called abbotsNuns lived in their own monasteries.

The Church and Its Influence

Church Monasteries were very powerful and wealthy.

King wanted church to obey him, and churches thought king should obey the church.

Pope Gregory declared that King Henry was no longer the emperor and excommunicated him.

Henry traveled to Italy and begged for forgiveness

Henry then seized Rome and appointed a new Pope.

Church Authority