A.D. 500 - 1500MIDDLE AGES

FRANKISH EMPIRE Most Powerful of the Germanic Tribes Controlled the largest & strongest of

Europe’s kingdoms Controlled Gaul (France) CLOVIS – ruler from 481 – 511 (30 yrs) United Franks under one rule Around 500 AD Converted to Christianity

establishing an alliance with the Church

By 600 Converted many to Christianity

CLOVIS

FRANKISH EMPIRE - CHARLES MARTEL Franks expand their empire 732 – Battle of Tours Importance – stopped Islamic empire from expanding farther into Europe Franks under Charles Martel defeat Muslims Turning Point in struggle against Islam

Charles Martel

Charles Martel leading Franks against the Muslims at the Battle of Tours in 732

CHARLEMAGNE – RULER 768 - 814 Grandson of Charles Martel Conquered: Saxons, Bavarians, Lombards (Much of Modern France, Germany, Italy) Unified much of W. Europe for thefirst time since the Roman empire

CHARLEMAGNE

CHARLEMAGNE 800 – his empire was larger than the

Byzantine empire He traveled to Rome to defeat a group that had rebelled against the Pope -Crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by

Pope Leo III Responsible for spreading Christianity to

much of Europe Spurred revival of art, religion, and culture

through the medium of the Catholic Church

CHARLEMAGNE Dies in 814 Succeeded by son – Louis Louis rules from 814 – 840 After his death Empire is divided Among his three sons by the Treaty of Verdun