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CharlemagneCharlemagneand the and the FranksFranks

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Charlemagne and the Charlemagne and the FranksFranks

In this lesson, students will be able to identify effects of the fall of Rome as well as the rise of Charlemagne and

the Franks.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

Effects of the Fall of RomeFranks

CharlemagneFeudalism

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The fall of Rome brought many important

changes to Western Europe.

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Effects of the Fall of Effects of the Fall of RomeRome

• Germanic tribes took over Roman lands.

• Hundreds of little kingdoms took the place of the Western Roman Empire in Europe.

• Initially, there was no system for collecting taxes.

• Kingdoms were always at war with one another.

• People lost interest in learning.

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Warfare increased. Trade decreased.

The “Dark Ages” began.

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Early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages• Historians call the period following

the fall of Rome the “Dark Ages.”

• Formerly, this period is known as the beginning of the Middle Ages.

• It was a time of increased warfare, decreased trade, and a decline in learning.

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Charles MartelCharles Martel

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Charles MartelCharles Martel• Martel (the name means "hammer")

succeeded in reuniting the Frankish realm, eventually acquiring Aquitaine and Burgundy.

• In 732CE, he achieved one of the most significant victories in early Europe at the Battle of Tours, which stopped Muslim advancement from Spain into Frankish territory.

• Father of Pepin III (the Short)

Western EuropeWestern Europe

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Battle of ToursBattle of Tours

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Battle of Tours (732): Franks achieve victory

over Muslim armies from Hispania, forcing Muslim to retreat and allowing the Franks to reassert control over Francia. Marks the

deepest advancement of the Muslim armies

into Europe. Believed to have saved Europe

from Islam domination, perhaps saving Christianity from endangerment.

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Pepin the ShortPepin the Short

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Pepin the ShortPepin the Short• In 752 CE, Pope Stephen anointed Pepin the

Short as king: important. To his subjects, it meant that Pepin had the backing of God, or that he was God’s chosen ruler.

• In 754 CE, Pepin The Short successfully removed the Lombards from Rome, and gave their lands to the Pope. This strengthened the ties between the Catholic Church and the Franks, while the ties between the Church and the Byzantines were weakened.

• Father of Charlemagne

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Charlemagnebecame king of the Franksin 768 CE.

He conquereda vast empire

and triedto recreate

the glory of theRomanEmpire.

CharlemagneCharlemagne

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CharlemagneCharlemagne• Grandfather was

Charles Martel and father was Pepin the Short: both good rulers

• Charlemagne was an impressive king– Charles the Great– 6’4” tall– Blonde hair– Friendly, strong

• Expanded the Frankish Empire– Defeated most of

the barbarian tribes in Western Europe•Expanded into

Germany, all of France, most of Italy, and parts of Northern Spain

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Charlemagne’s EmpireCharlemagne’s Empire

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EducationEducation• After the Fall of Rome, the ability to

read and write began to disappear: only the clergy

• To effectively rule kingdom and convert people to Christianity, Charlemagne wanted officials to be able to read– Charlemagne: could read but not write– Frankish nobles thought it was a waste

of time: they were warriors

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GovernmentGovernment• Charlemagne ruled a vast empire

– Used counts (local officials) to solve local problems•Had job of finding men and raising armies

– Charlemagne paid surprise visits to make sure counts were managing fairly and effectively

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GovernmentGovernment• Charlemagne noticed that

Frankish court system was not fairTrial by Ordeal

Trial by Jury

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Trial by OrdealTrial by Ordeal• If you were a peasant and you

were accused of a crime, to prove your innocence, you had to hold a red hot metal poker until your hand was deeply burned. If your burnt hand healed in three days, which it was unlikely to do, you were found innocent. If it did not, you were guilty. 

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Trial by JuryTrial by Jury• Charlemagne started a new system

– Under Charlemagne's system, each accused person would be heard by a panel of honorable men, men who had taken an oath to listen and to judge fairly based on the evidence presented. There was still corruption, but this system had a much better chance of being fair than did the old one. 

– Our modern jury system, trial by jury, slowly developed from this early start. 

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Pope Leo III and CharlemagnePope Leo III and Charlemagne• Pope Leo III

– Wanted the Church in charge of lives of people, not the king: power to the Church

– Wanted taxes to go to the Church and not secular leaders

– 799 CE, Leo faced an uprising against him• Asked Charlemagne for help: troops escorted him

back to Rome

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Pope Leo III and CharlemagnePope Leo III and Charlemagne

• Pope Leo declared Charlemagne the first HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR

– Title gave no additional power…eventually caused problems

–HOLYHOLY tied to Church and placed the Church in power

– Led to war between the Frankish and Byzantine Empire…8 years to make peace

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Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne

“Holy Roman Emperor”.

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During his reign, Charlemagne tried to recreate the Roman Empire. However, after

his death, the empire declined.

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The Rise of The Rise of FeudalismFeudalism

• While Charlemagne’s descendants were not able to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire– Grandsons divided kingdom into three

regions-led to fall of kingdom- Treaty of Verdun

• The Franks did greatly affect life in the Middle Ages.

• Feudalism became the norm in western Europe.