Early middle Ages (Dark Ages)
• Small independent kingdoms spring up in Gaul,
Spain, Germany Belgium, and Britain (400’s)
The Frankish Kingdom
Clovis
• The Frankish kingdom was established by Clovis in Gaul (500 ce). It
was the most powerful and largest in the Early Middle Ages.
• Clovis was the first to convert his kingdom to Christianity. This won
him favor with the Roman Catholic Church.
• His decedents allowed government administration to be run by an
official known as the “mayor of the palace”.
• One outstanding mayor of the palace, Charles
Martel (Hammer) became leader of all the
Franks.
• He won fame by turning back the invading
Muslims.
• He formed alliances with the church. Later his son
appealed to the pope and became king. In return he
granted lands (the Papal States) near Rome to the pope.
• From here on the church would be involved in political
affairs.
Charlemagne
• Grandson of Martel “Charles the Great” or
Charlemagne was a talented general.
Charlemagne
• Grandson of Martel “Charles the Great” or
Charlemagne was a talented general.
Charlemagne
• Grandson of Martel “Charles the Great” or Charlemagne was a
talented general.
• He was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by the
pope (Christmas 800) who wished to be seen as the
crowner of kings and spiritual leader of Western
Europe.
• He expanded the Frankish kingdom and established
uniform laws throughout the kingdom.
• Charlemagne's kingdom: Light-green is kingdom in
771, dark-green was added by 800
The Vikings
• Charlemagne’s death was followed by 2
centuries of attack form the Vikings who invaded
Europe and Britain between 800 and 1000.
• Vikings were warriors and expert sailors from the
north (Norway, Sweden, & Denmark).
• Due to overpopulation and poor lands at
home, they raided along the coast.
• In 911 the Franks were forced so surrender a
part of northern France to Vikings; it became
known as Normandy.
• Around 1000, Leif Erickson led a group to
L'Anse-aux-Meadows, Newfoundland (500 years
before the discovery of America).