Medieval Europe

Chapter 9

Europe After the Fall

• After the fall of Rome, Europe had no central authority to keep order.

• Outlaws and bandits became common and violence was common.

• Many groups from the north and east moved into former Roman lands and established their own kingdoms with their own kings.

• As a result, Europe was divided into many small kingdoms.

• This marked the beginning of the "Middle Ages" or "Medieval" period.

Christianity spreads by missionaries and monks

• Missionaries and Monks spread Christianity through out Europe. • Missionaries were people sent usually by the Pope - to teach and convert others to a particular religion. • Missionaries were sent to Britain, France, and Germany.

• Patrick went to Ireland - on his own and not sent by the Pope to convert people to Christianity.

Monks

• Monks lived in monasteries and were isolated from others. • Monks followed rules that helped them live as good Christians. • Most European monks followed rules created by an Italian monk named Benedict. • These rules were called the Benedictine Rule. • Those that followed these rules were called Benedictine monks. This order of monks was the largest order of monks in Europe during the Middle Ages .

Monks performed services

• providing health services to the poor • ran schools and copied books for those who couldn't read or write • collected and saved ancient writings from Greece and Rome • served as scribes and advisors

Franks build an empire

• In 480 AD, the Franks, ruled by Clovis, were a Christian group that conquered Gaul (France).

• They were one of the strongest kingdoms in Europe.

• In the late 700's, Charlemagne led this Christian group to its height and turned it into an Empire. • His empire included all of what is now considered France, Austria, Italy, Germany, and northern Spain.

• It even included parts of the Roman Empire.

• On Christmas Day of 800AD, Pope Leo III crowned King Charlemagne - Emperor of the Romans. This symbolized a return to the greatness of the Roman Empire.

• Charlemagne built schools across Europe .

Invaders

• Muslim armies invade southern France • Magyars armies invaded Europe from the east.

• Vikings from Scandinavia raided Britain, Ireland, and Western Europe • Vikings invaded monasteries and took prisoners and sold them into slavery.

• Their ships allowed them to sail up rivers and raid more inland cities in the Iberian and Italian peninsulas.