Germanic peoples adopt Christianity
511 AD-Clovis unites Franks into one kingdom
600 AD-Church + Frankish convert many
Fear of Muslims in southern Europe spur many to become Christians
Monasteries and convents
520 AD-Benedict wrote the rules for monks and monasteries
Poverty, chastity, obedience, study
His sister Scholastica did the same for nuns in converts
731 AD-the Venerable Bede wrote a killer history of England
Monks opened schools, maintenance libraries, and copied books(Bibles, Greek texts)
A European Empire Evolves
Franks control largest European kingdom
The Roman province formerly known as Gaul
Ruled by Clovis-the Merovingian Dynasty
Major domo-mayor of the palace-ruled the kingdom
Charles Martel-Charles the Hammer
extended the Franks' reign to the north, south, east
defeated a Muslim army from Spain at the Balls of Tours in 732-historic battle
Charles the Hammer's son-Pepin the Short
possibly named for his unusual short haircut
Working for and with the Pope, Pepin fought for the Lombards
Pope Stephen II named Pepin (king by the grace of God)-beginning the Carolingian Dynasty 751-987 AD
Pepin the Short had two sons: Carolman and Charles
Charlemagne takes center stage
Charlemagne-Charles the Great
6 foot 4
Built the greatest empire since Rome
Fought for Muslims in Spain
Fought Germanic tribes
Spread Christianity
Reunited Western Europe
Became the most powerful king in western Europe
Pope Leo III crowned him emperor in 800 AD after he defended him from an unruly roman mob
This signed the joining of Germanic power, the Church, and the heritage of the Roman Empire
Charlemagne's Government
He limited the authority of the nobles
He regularly visited every part of his kingdom
Kept close watch on his huge estates
Cultural Revival
Encouraged learning
Ordered monasteries to open schools
Opened a palace school
But his heirs were weenies...
His Son-Louis the Pious-was ineffective
Louis; three songs-Lothair, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German-split up the kingdom at the Treaty of the Verdun in 843 AD