Germanic Kingdoms

Main idea

• Germanic kingdoms that acceded the Roman empire were reunited under Charlemagne

Why it's important

• Charlemagne spread Christianity through northern Europe

• Middle ages - medieval period
• 500 - 1500 AD
• Medieval Europe is fragmented

1. Invasions triggered changes
1. Invasions are a fluid thing, happening all the time
2. No roman legion
2. Disruption of trade
1. Europe cities are no longer economic
2. Money is scarce
3. Hard to trade
3. Downfall of cities
1. No longer economic
4. Population shifts
1. Fewer people live there
2. People were leaving
5. Decline of learning
1. Tribes coming in are not educated
2. Communicate through oral tradition
6. Lose of common language
1. Dialect developed in different regions
2. Language was developed from Latin
3. Priest and church officials
4. Live off of Latin
7. Concept of government
1. Roman society loyal republic gov
2. German society loyal to family
1. Chief led warriors
2. During peace, he provided food weapons treasure etc.
3. During war time, warriors fought for lord
3. People didn’t know who the king was
4. Franks lived in Gaul
5. Clovis
8. Germanic kingdom emerges
1. Franks and Clovis
1. Another battle field conversion
2. Clovis and 300 warriors were baptized
3. Clovis and church begin to work together
9. Gregory I expanded power of church
1. Papacy - popes office
2. Secular power - worldly power
3. Church can use money to
1. Raise armies
2. Repair roads
3. Help the poor
4. Gregory the great acts like mayor and head of wealthy government