The Franks were a Germanic tribe who conquered much of Gaul under their king Clovis in 486. Clovis converted to Christianity, allying the Franks with the Catholic Church and spreading Roman culture throughout Western Europe. Charles Martel defeated the Moors at the Battle of Tours in 732. Pepin III helped the Pope defeat the Lombards, further strengthening the Frankish-Church alliance. Charlemagne greatly expanded the Frankish Empire and was crowned Emperor by the Pope on Christmas Day 800, reviving the Roman Empire. However, the Frankish Empire declined after Charlemagne's death as his grandsons fought over the land and it faced constant invasions.

1. The Middle Ages
~The Franks~

2. The Franks
The Franks were
a Germanic tribe
who conquered
much of the old
Roman territory of
Gaul, modern day
France.

3. The Franks
It was
Clovis, king
of the
Franks, who
conquered
this territory
in 486.

4. Frankish Empire

5. The Franks
Frankish kings used
their military power to
expand their territory.
As a result, the
Franks emerged as a
force in Western
Europe, Ruling
between 400-700.

6. The Franks
Clovis converted
to Christianity
which made the
powerful Pope
and the whole of
the Roman
Catholic Church
his ally.

7. The Franks
This alliance
between Frankish
Kings and the
Church
reestablished
Roman culture (and
Christianity) in
Western Europe.

8. The Franks
 Charles Martel led
Christian Knights
and defeated the
Spanish Moors at
the Battle of Tours
in 732 when they
invaded France
– Ultimately pushed
Islam back into
Spain and slowed
down the Muslim
advance

9. The Franks
Pepin III helped
the Pope by
defeating the
Lombards (Italy)
–He strengthened the
alliance between the
Franks and the
church

10. The Age of Charlemagne
The most famous
of the Frankish
kings was
Charlemagne.
Charle – Charles
Magne – Great
Charlemange –
Charles the Great

11. Accomplishments of
Charlemagne
 Ruled from CE 768 to
CE 814
 Revived the idea of a
Roman Empire
 He united much of
Europe and placed great
value on education
 Revived Roman
Culture

12. Accomplishments of
Charlemagne
On Christmas Day, 800 C.E.,
Pope anointed him “Emperor.”

13. What steps did Charlemagne take to
improve government and unify the empire?
 Reading
comprehension
quiz
 Use your notes
to answer this
question.
 Answers – He Spread
Christianity to
conquered peoples of
his empire. He also
appointed powerful
nobles to rul`e local
regions and sent out
missi dominici to
check on roads listen
to grievances and see
that justice was done

14. Charlemagne
 The church has
significant political power
–The Pope, the head of
the Catholic Church,
crowned him emperor
–The Church is firmly
established in political
life

15. Decline of the Frankish Empire
 Empire didn’t last long
after Charlemagne’s
death in 814
– Poor rulers
– Charlemagne’s grandsons
fought each other (Treaty
of Verdun)
– Constant invasions
(Muslims, Slavs, Magyars,
Vikings)
Treaty of Verdun

16. Invasions of the Frankish Empire

17. Questions
1. What are the Middle Ages also
called?
2. Where did Clovis Rule?
3. At which battle were the Moors
defeated?
4. What did Charlemagne want to
build?
5. Who crowned Charlemagne
“Emperor”