Notes

A european empire envolves 
1. Franks conrtol largest European kingdom 
a. the roman province formerly known as gaul 
b. ruled by clovis- the Merovingian dynasty 
2. major domo- mayor the palace- ruled the kingdom 
3. charles martel- charles the hammer 
a. extended the Franks' reign to the north, south, and east 
b. defeated a Muslim army from Spain at the Battle of Tours in 732- historic battle
4. Charles the hammer's son- 
a. possibly named for his unusual short haircut 
b. working for and with the Pope. Pepin fought the Lombards 
c. Pope Stephen II named Pepin "king by the grace of God"- beginning the Carolingian Dynasty 751-987 AD
d. Pepin the Short had two sons: Carolman and Charles 
e. Carolman died, leaving Charles power 
E. Charlemagne- aka Charles the Great 
-  six foot four 
- built the greatest empire since rome 
- fought the muslim in Spain 
- fought germanic tribes 
- spread christianity 
- reunited western europe 
- became the most powerful king in western europe 
- Prince Leo III crowned him emperor in 800 AD after he defended him from unruly Roman mob 
- this singnaled the joining of germanic power, the church, and ther heritage of the roman empire
2. Charlemagne takes center stage 
His government
- he limited the authority of the nobles 
- he regularly visted every part of his kingdom 
- kept close watch on his huge estates 
3. cultural revival 
- encouraged learning 
- ordered monasteries to open schools 
- opened a palace school 
4. but his heirs were weenies 
- his son - Louis the Pious was ineffective 
- Louis three sons- Lothair, charkes the bald, and louis the german- split up the kingdom at the treaty of verdun in 843 AD