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The FranksWorld History IFebruary 23, 2014
Europe After the Fall of Rome
The Dark Ages overlapped with the Fall of Rome
This was a time of cultural, social, and political change
Europe was once one large unified empire, and had now shattered into a collection of warring tribes
The Geography of Western Europe
Europe was small compared to many other civilizations
From about 500-1,000 C.E. this region was considered frontier land
Frontier = underdeveloped land on the outskirts of the civilization
Though it was small and underdeveloped, there was a large amount of natural resources
Fresh water, trees, harbors, fertile soil
Who are the franks?In the lands on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, the people were organized into smaller nomadic tribes
Farmers and herders
They did not have cities, organized governments, or laws
Unwritten laws based on Pagan religious customs
Elected leaders to lead them into battles
Between 400-700 C.E., Germanic tribes carved Western Europe into smaller kingdoms
The Franks were a group of Germanic people who lived in Northern Gaul
Present day France
They were one of the only kingdoms to rise out of the Dark Ages
King ClovisWas the first of the Frankish kings
Conquered the former Roman province of Gaul
This united the Germanic tribes into one civilization
He ruled the Franks according to traditional customs but also tried to preserve Roman traditions
He was polytheistic and worshipped Pagan Gods
His wife, Clotilda, was a Catholic and encouraged him to convert to Christianity
After a significant victory in battle, he converted, making Catholicism the official religion of the Franks
He created The Law of the Salian Franks
A written code of laws combining customs, Roman law, and Christian ideals
Charles MartelHe was son of Pippin the Middle, King of the Franks
His mother was Pippin’s mistress, which made him the illegitimate successor
On his father’s deathbed, his wife convinced him to disinherit Charles as his child and choose her nephew as his heir
Years later he escaped captivity and found support among the Frankish military
He led a civil war against his cousinHe regained his title as mayor of the palace or Prince of the Franks
He focused his attention on preventing the invasion of the Moors
He is considered the “Savior of Christianity”
The Battle of ToursFought on October 10, 732
Between the advancing Muslims (Moors) and the Christians (Franks)
Muslims led by Abdul Rahman
Christians led by Charles the Hammer
Muslim army was looking to expand the Islamic Empire and gain land, money, and power
The Christians were vastly outnumbered
The Muslims had the fiercer and more organized army
The Christians were able to stop the northward advance of Islam
This preserved Christianity as the controlling faith in England
This spread the religion and made it an even more dominant force
CharlemagneIn 800 Charles Martel’s grandson united much of Europe under his control
Empire reached from France, to Germany, and part of Italy
Charlemagne’s name translates to “Charles the Great” because he had many accomplishments
Strengthened and brought order to Europe
Helped the Romans hold off the Muslims
Started the Missi DominiciGroup of nobles who saw that the laws were followed
Rebuilt Trade
Focused on Education
Spread Christianity
Fall of the FranksWhen Charlemagne died in C.E. 814, his empire began to crumble
His empire was divided into 3 parts, one for each of his sons
Called The Treaty of VerdunCharles
Lothair
Louis
In 45 years the land continued to be divided up into smaller and smaller sections
Invaders, like the Vikings, played a role in the deteriorating land
