Key Figures
Who was crowned emperor in 800?
Charlemagne
What happened on December 25, 800?
Charlemagne was crowned emperor.
What system exchanged land for military service?
Feudalism
What empire existed before medieval Europe?
Roman Empire
Which group settled in Gaul?
Franks
Who crowned Charlemagne?
Pope Leo III
What did the Treaty of Verdun do?
Divided Charlemagne’s empire into three parts
Why did feudalism develop in medieval Europe?
Because of constant invasions and need for protection
What was the Byzantine Empire?
The eastern continuation of the Roman Empire
Which group migrated to Britain and later blended with others to form a new culture?
Angles and Saxons
Why did Pope Leo III seek help from Charlemagne?
He was attacked and needed protection to stay in power.
Why were the Crusades important to the Church?
They increased its influence and promised forgiveness of sins
How was Germanic law different from Roman law?
Germanic law was personal; Roman law treated crime as against the state
How was the Carolingian Empire different from the Roman Empire?
It covered different areas and expanded north instead of focusing on the Mediterranean
Why did Germanic kingdoms keep some Roman systems?
Roman systems were already established and effective
How did crowning Charlemagne increase the pope’s power?
It showed the pope could grant authority to rulers, making him superior politically.
Why was Charlemagne’s crowning considered questionable or controversial?
There was already a Byzantine emperor with a stronger legal claim
Why would the wergild system help prevent violence?
It replaced revenge (blood feuds) with payment
How did the fall of the Western Roman Empire change political power?
Power became decentralized into smaller kingdoms
How did Germanic family structure influence their legal system?
Crimes were handled between families, not by the state
Why might Charlemagne have been uncertain or unhappy about being crowned emperor? Give TWO reasons.
It could challenge the Byzantine emperor / it made his authority depend on the pope / it created political problems
How did Charlemagne’s coronation change Europe’s identity?
It shifted power north and helped create a unified European identity beyond Rome
What does the use of ordeals suggest about beliefs in medieval society?
People believed God directly controlled justice and would protect the innocent.
Explain ONE major difference between life under Rome and life in medieval Europe.
Rome had centralized control and unity; medieval Europe was fragmented and localized
Why was society more violent after the fall of Rome? Give TWO reason.
Lack of strong central authority / constant invasions / reliance on family protection