Wednesday, May 21, 2014

More Notes on Germanic Kingdoms


  • A European Empire Evolves 
    •  Franks control largest European kingdom
      •  The Roman province formerly known as Gaul
      •  Ruled by Clovis- the Merovingian Dynasty
    • Major domo- mayor of the palace - ruled the kingdom
    • Charles Martel - Charles the Hammer
      •  a. extended the Franks' reign to the north, south, and east
      •  Defeated a Muslim army from Spain at the Battle of Tours in 732- historoic Battle


  • A European Empire Evolves [cont'd]
    •  Charles the Hammer's son - Pepin the Short 
      • Possibly named for his unusual short haircut
      • 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 AD
{So, a Pope can do that? Name someone "king"? Yup.}
      •  Pepin the Short had two sons. Carolman and Charles 
      • Carolman died... leaving Charles to take over 
  • Charlemagne takes center state
    • Charlemagne - aka Charles the Great 
      • Six foot four 
      • Built the greatest empire since Rome 
      • Fought the Muslims in Spain
      • Fought Germanic tribes
      • Spread Christianity
      • 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 an unruly Roman mob
      • This signaled the joining of Germanic power, the Church,  and the heritage of the Roman Empire 
  • Charlemagne take center stage [cont'd]
    • Charlemagne's Government 
      • He limited the authority of hte 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
        •  Louis the German
          • Split up the kingdom at the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD 

No comments:

Post a Comment