The Early Middle Ages saw Western Europe decline after the fall of the Roman Empire, with invaders sweeping across the region, trade slowing, and towns emptying. Germanic tribes like the Franks conquered former Roman lands and established new kingdoms without written laws. Charlemagne reunited much of the old Western Roman Empire and was crowned emperor by the Pope in 800, bringing Christianity and reviving Latin learning, though his empire split after his death.

1. The Early Middle Ages

2. Western Europe in Decline
• Invaders sweeping across the Roman region
• Trade was slow
• Towns were empty
• Education no longer truly existed
– 500 to 1500: Known as the Middle Ages (Dark
Ages)
– Medieval: Latin meaning, “middle age”

3. Rise of Germanic Kingdoms
• Franks – Germanic tribe that conquered present-day
France and neighboring lands in the 400s
• No written laws
• 486: King Clovis: conquered former Roman province of Gaul
– Converts to Christianity: gains allies
• Muslim empire threatens Europe
– Islam began in Arabia in 600s (Muslims)
– Muslim army comes into France
• Charles Martel rallies Frankish warriors
• Battle of Tours 732: Christian warriors triumph

4. Battle of Tours 732

5. Who is Charlemagne?

6. Charlemagne (Charles the
Great)
• grandson of Charles Martel
• Most of 46 year reign fighting Muslims in Spain
– Reunited much of old western Roman empire
• 799: Pope Leo III asks for help against rebellious
nobles in Rome
– Placed crown on Charlemagne’s head making him
Emperor of the Roman’s
• Brought Christendom, but also angered the eastern Roman
emperor in Constantinople (deepened split).

7. Charlemagne (Charles the
Great)
• Why is this such a big deal?

8. Charlemagne (Charles the
Great)
• He wanted to create a united Christian empire
– Worked closely with the church
• Appointed Powerful Nobles to rule local
regions
• Revival of Learning
– Revived Latin learning

9. After Charlemagne
• Died in 814
• 843: Treaty of Verdun – split empire into 3 regions
• Legacy – extended Christianity & setup strong
efficient government
• New Waves of Invasions – Muslim forces attack
– Magyars: ethnic group
centered in present day
Hungary

10. Raiders From the North
• Vikings – independent farmers ruled by land
owning chieftains
– Expert Sailors
– Raiders
– Traders & Explorers
• Opened up trade routes