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5th Century- Germanic invaders overran the
western half of the Roman Empire, caused a
series of changes:
 Disruption of trade
 Downfall of cities
 Population shifts
 Decline of learning
 Loss of a common language
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Small Germanic kingdoms replaced Roman
provinces
Borders changed constantly
Church provides order and security
Concept of government changes- emphasis
on personal ties
United the Franks into
one kingdom
 The alliance between
the Church and Clovis
marked the start of a
partnership between
two powerful forces

Became Pope in 590
Broadened the
authority of the papacy
beyond its spiritual
role- it becomes a
secular power involved
in politics
 Strengthened the
vision of Christendom
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Major domo (mayor of
the palace) in 719
 Held more power than
the king
 Extended the Franks’
reign to the north,
south, and east
 Defeated the Muslim
raiders in the Battle of
Tours in 732- made him
a Christian hero

Wanted to be king and
cooperated with the
Pope
 Pope anointed him
“king by the grace of
god”
 Beginning the
Carolingian Dynasty
(751-987)

Built an empire greater
than any known since
Ancient Rome
 Reunited western
Europe
 Crowned Holy Roman
Emperor by Pope
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Charlemagne’s three grandsons fought over
control of the empire
843- signed the Treaty of Verdun- dividing the
empire into three kingdoms
Carolingian kings lost power and central
authority broke down
Lack of strong rulers leads to a new system of
governing and landholding- feudalism
VIKINGS
MAGYARS & MUSLIMS
Came from the north
 Worshiped war-like gods
 Gradually accept
Christianity (leading them
to stop raiding monaseries)
 Warming trend made
farming easier in
Scandinavia (they didn’t
need to raid as much)
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Magars- from the east- did
not settle conquered lands
but took captives to sell as
slaves
Muslims- planned to
conquer and settle in
Europe
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Based on rights and obligations
Depended on control of the land
A lord (landowner) grants a fief (land) to a
vassal (person receiving the fief) in exchange
for military protection and other services
Charles the Simple & Rollo
Those who fought
Those who prayed
Those who worked
Technology of warfare
changed- leather
saddles and stirrups
 Feudal lords raised
private armies of
knights
 Code of chivalry
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Downplayed the brutality of knighthood and
feudal warfare and idealized castle life
Epic poetry
Love poems and songs
 Troubadours
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Parish Priest
Bishop
Archbishop
Cardinal
Pope
Secular Clergy
Regular Clergy

Advisors to the king
 King gains credibility from the people if the Pope
supported him

Cannon Law- Church’s code of law
 If a law is broken, a person could be
excommunicated
 If a rule goes against the church, a whole region
could be excommunicated
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Heretics
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Corruption developed because people could
become individually wealthy
High church offices were bought
 If the church needed money, they would create a
new Cardinal position
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Franciscan monks- started by St. Francis of
Assisi
Dominicans- started by St. Dominc
Members were called friars
Lived and preached to the people
Hunted heretics (Inquisition)
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Most effective ruler of
medieval Germany
Formed a close alliance
with the Church
Built his power base by
gaining the support of
the bishops and abbots
Used his power to
defeat German princes
Pope crowned him
emperor
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Church was not happy that kings had control
over clergy and their offices
Lay investiture
Henry IV (German Emperor) vs. Gregory
(Pope)
Concordat of Worms
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Empire falls to pieces in 1190
German kings continued to revive
Charlemagne’s empire and his alliance with
the Church- leading to wars with Italian cities
and further conflicts with the Pope
System of German princes electing the king
weakened royal authority
Feudal states of Germany never unify during
the Middle Ages