Frankish Kingdom

Battle of Tours

BATTLE IN 732 IN WHICH THE CHRISTIAN FRANKS LED BY CHARLES MARTEL DEFEATED MUSLIM ARMIES AND STOPPED THE MUSLIM ADVANCES INTO EUROPE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tours

Gregory I

"Gregory the Great"; broadened the authority of the papacy, or pope's office, beyond spiritual role; papacy became secular power involved in politics, Also known as Gregory the Great, who, in 590, became pope. As head of the Church in Rome, Gregory broadened the authority of the papacy, or pope's office, beyond its spiritual role. Under Gregory, the papacy also became a secular, or worldly, power involved in politics. The pope's palace was the center of Roman government. Gregory used church revenues to raise armies, repair roads, and help the poor. He also negotiated peace treaties with invaders such as the Lombards. According to Gregory, the region from Italy to England and from Spain to Germany fell under his responsibility. Gregory strengthened the the vision of Christendom. It was a spiritual kingdom fanning out from Rome to the most distant churches. This idea of a churchly kingdom, ruled by a pope, would be a central theme of the Middle Ages. Meanwhile, secular rulers expanded their political kingdoms. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I

Holy Roman Empire

Extended from Poland & Hungary on East to France on the West. Included Czechs, Fr Spkers of Belgium, Lorraine, etc but mostly German spkg. Religion was no longer tie to bind becos in Germany - almost evenly divided or even with a Prot maj. - smtms Prots predominated in meetings of estates. To east of HRE Prots smtms dominated also - Hungary, Transylvania, etc. Econ. shift of ctr to West left Germany in some decline. Whereas in 1500 Germany a leader, in 1600 - backward & provincial. Lutheran states - culturally isolated. German univs. losing preeminence. More witches burned here than in west - superstition++. Dutch control of mouth of Rhine -> decl. of econ imptce(+Atl. trade). Fuggers losing position as Euro's bankers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire

Franks

Germanic people who lived and held power in Gaul. Their leader was Clovis and he would later bring Christianity to the region. By 511 the Franks had united into one kingdom and they controlled the largest and strongest parts of Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franks

Treaty of Verdun

In A.D. 843, divided up Charlemagne's empire between his three sons. Charles the Bald got the western part, Louis the German got the eastern part, and Lothair got the middle section. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Verdun

Clovis

King of Franks; conquered Gaul; earned support of Gaul and Church of Rome by converting; Ruled lands in Frankish custom but kept Roman legacy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clovis_I

Charlemagne

King of the Franks (r. 768-814); emperor (r. 800-814). Through a series of military conquests he established the Carolingian Empire, which encompassed all of Gaul and parts of Germany and Italy. Illiterate, though started an intellectual revival. (250) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne

Medieval

referring to the Middle Ages, old-fashioned http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages

Charles Martel

the Frankish commander for the battle of Tours. He defeated the Muslimsin the Battle of Tours, allowing Christianity to survive throughout the Dark Ages. He in a way started Feudalism by giving land to his knights that served for him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Martel

Leo III

was the pope who had been falsely accused of impropriety. Appointed Charlemagne as the first Holy Roman Emperor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_III