European Empire
Evolves
- Franks control European kingdom
- Ruled by Clovis- the Merovingian Dynasty
- Formally known as Gaul
Major domo- mayor of
the palace
Charles Martel-
Charles the Hammer
- Extended the Frank's reign to the north south and east
- Defeated a Muslim army from Spain at the Battle of Tours in 732- historic battle
- If the battle would have gone the other way we would all be Muslims (Christians vs Muslims)
Charles the Hammer
had a son: Pepin the short
- Possibly named for his unusual short haircut (short temper, short stance)
- Working for and with the Pope, Pepin fought the Lombards
- Pope Stephen II named Pepin king by the grace of God- beginning the Carolingian Dynasty (751-987 A.D.)
- Pepin the short had two sons: Carolman and Charles
- Carolman died so Charles( Charlemagne) takes over
Charlemagne (Charles
the Great)
- Six foot four
- Built the greatest empire since Rome
- Fought the Muslims in Spain
- Fought Germanic tribes
- Spread Christianity (full bore catholic)
- Reunited western Europe
- Became the most powerful king in western Europe
- Pope Leo III crowned him emperor in 800 AD after he defended him from a mob
- This is the joining of Germanic power, the Church, and the heritage of the Roman Empire.
Charlemagne's
government
- He limited the authority of the nobles
- He regularly visited every part of his kingdom
- Kept close watch on his huge estates
- Cultural revival
- Encouraged learning
- Ordered monasteries to open schools
- Opened a palace school
- But his heirs were weenies………
- His son- Louis the Pious- was ineffective
- Louis' three sons- Lothair, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German- split up the kingdom at the Treaty of Verdun in 843 A.D
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