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The '''Early Middle Ages''' from about 400 AD to 1000 AD is a period in European and Mediterranean history that falls between the fall of the [[Roman Empire]] and the [[High Middle Ages]].   

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The '''Early Middle Ages''' is a period in [[Europe]]an and Mediterranean history that falls between the fall of the [[Roman Empire]] and the [[High Middle Ages]].  However, assigning specific dates to the period is controversial and moreover implies a lack of continuity.  For the purposes of this article, we will begin the period with the death of the last Roman Emperor in the West, [[Romulus Augustulus]], even though this event in and of itself did not represent a significant political change.  Likewise, defining an end to the Early Middle Ages is problematic, but the date AD 1000 serves as a convenient point.

The period in general may be characterized as generally chaotic and a decline from the achievements of the Roman Empire.  Cities dwindled in population, armed bands operated with impunity in many areas throughout much of the period, and culture, learning and civilization almost disappeared completely in many places where the Romans had introduced it.  One effect of this is that our written historical sources for the period are extremely few in number, while very few buildings exist that were built in the period.

Europe was generally chaotic and in a decline from the achievements of the Roman Empire.  Serfdom replaces slavery in the farms, which became increasingly self-suffient as trade fell off.  Governments were weak and taxes were not collected. Cities dwindled in population. Law and order collapsed as armed bands operated with impunity in many areas throughout much of the period. High culture, learning and civilization almost disappeared completely in many places.  Few buildings still exist that were built in the period.

Nevertheless, there were significant achievements as well, most importantly the spread of [[Christianity]] well beyond the borders of the old Roman Empire and indeed to the farthest reaches of Europe.  In the East, the [[Byzantine Empire]], the successor to the Roman Empire was still a force to be reckoned with, and also provided the primary defense against the spread of [[Islam]] in Europe.  In the West, the Church was instrumental in helping preserve education and learning.  Influential churchmen and scholars such as [[Gregory of Tours]], the Venerable [[Bede]], and [[Einhard]] recorded histories for us, while there were significant early developments in Christian [[theology]] from such men as Pope [[Gregory the Great]] and [[Isidore of Seville]].   

Nevertheless, there were significant achievements as well, most importantly the spread of Christianity well beyond the borders of the old Roman Empire and indeed to the farthest reaches of Europe.  In the East, the [[Byzantine Empire]], the successor to the Roman Empire was still a force to be reckoned with, and also provided the primary defense against the spread of [[Islam]] in Europe.  In the West, the Church was instrumental in helping preserve education and learning.  Influential churchmen and scholars such as [[Gregory of Tours]], the Venerable [[Bede]], and [[Einhard]] recorded histories for us, while there were significant early developments in Christian [[theology]] from such men as Pope [[Gregory the Great]] and [[Isidore of Seville]].   

And while the age mostly did not produce the immense architectural monuments of the High Middle Ages and later, beautiful artworks, mostly portable, still survive from the era, including the [[Book of Kells]] and the treasures of [[Sutton Hoo]].

And while the age mostly did not produce the immense architectural monuments of the High Middle Ages and later, beautiful artworks, mostly portable, still survive from the era, including the [[Book of Kells]] and the treasures of [[Sutton Hoo]].

===The Italian Peninsula===

===The Italian Peninsula===

In 410, the Visigoths had sacked Rome, though they did not harm a single piece of property owned by the Church. Forty-two years Pope Leo I convinced Attila to leave, perhaps by his holiness, perhaps by an angel threatening to kill him unless the Hun obeyed him, perhaps by some gold. When the empire fell in 476, mercenaries ruled, but in 493, Theodoric of the Ostrogoths took over. He built roads, churches, aqueducts, theaters, and ampitheaters. Even though he was an Arian (someone who believed Jesus was not equal to God), he tolerated Catholics and Jews. But when he died, Justinian tried to conquer Italy. Even though they at first succeeded, the Ostrogoths fought back and both sides viciously destroyed the peninsula. Although eventally all Italy was ruled by Constantinople, in 568 the Lombards took over northern Italy. Pope Gregory I converted them to Catholicism, fed the people of Rome by grain from papal estates, and paid the Eastern Roman troops in Italy.

In 410, the Visigoths had sacked Rome, though they did not harm a single piece of property owned by the Church. Forty-two years Pope Leo I convinced Attila to leave, perhaps by his holiness, perhaps by an angel threatening to kill him unless the Hun obeyed him, perhaps by some gold. When the empire fell in 476, mercenaries ruled, but in 493, Theodoric of the Ostrogoths took over. He built roads, churches, aqueducts, theaters, and amphitheaters. Even though he was an Arian (someone who believed Jesus was not equal to God), he tolerated Catholics and Jews. But when he died, Justinian tried to conquer Italy. Even though they at first succeeded, the Ostrogoths fought back and both sides viciously destroyed the peninsula. Although eventually all Italy was ruled by Constantinople, in 568 the Lombards took over northern Italy. Pope Gregory I converted them to Catholicism, fed the people of Rome by grain from papal estates, and paid the Eastern Roman troops in Italy.

==The Rise of Islam (622-751)==

==The Rise of Islam (622-751)==

===Visigothic Spain and its Conquest===

===Visigothic Spain and its Conquest===

Spain declined. Suspicion that Jews were aiding Muslims in planning to attack led them to be forcibly baptized. In 711, Moors from Africa attacked. They quickly conquered all of it but the far north. A great culture flourished and religious tolerance generally reigned. Christian kingdoms in the north were buttressed by Charlemagne's conquest of Barcelona and began planning to retake Spain from the heretics. The Reconquista (reconquest) would begin in earnest under El Cid only a few decades before the Crusades.

Under the Visigoth, headquartered in Toledo, comprised a fifth of the population and were soon romanized. A new [[Spanish]] language emerged from Latin. The king converted in 587 from Arianism to the Roman Catholic faith, and the kingdom followed. Romanism. The great intellectual leader was Bishop [[Isidore of Seville]] (560-636).

 

In 711, Berbers and Arabs crossed over from Africa and defeated the Visigoths, reaching the Pyrennees Mountains by 719. However, on the other side they were defeated by [[Charles Martel]] and his Franks at the [[Battle of Tours]], but wars and large raids continued.

 

The Umayyad Dynasty ruled 756-1031. Christians were tolerated but (as in most Muslim countries), had to pay a special tax and were excluded from political power. Jews were well treated. There were numerous Christian revolts, but they were all suppressed.  The most brilliant period of the Moorish civilization came  in the ninth and tenth centuries with the city of Cordova as the center seat of science and arts.

 

By 1035 there were three small Christian kingdoms in the north:  Castile-León; Navarre; and Aragon, along with the county of Barcelona. They began planning to retake Spain from the Muslims. The [[Reconquista]] (reconquest) began began in earnest under El Cid (d. 1099) and was completely successful by 1492.

===Merovingian Francia===

===Merovingian Francia===

Different families of claimants to the throne battled ruthlessly. The major domo (chief of the palace) became dominant. Charles Martel became major domo in 719. In 732, the Muslims invaded Francia, as Gaul was called, via Spain. But with an army of heavy cavalry that was the first real knights and with church money, he won. Charles, formerly a name for serfs, became an honored royal name. One person was that name was his grandson Charlemagne.

Different families of claimants to the throne of Francia, as Gaul was called, battled ruthlessly. The majordomo (chief of the palace) became dominant. [[Charles Martel]] became majordomo in 719. In 732, the Muslims invaded Francia, via Spain. Martel decisivcely defeated them at the [[Battle of Tours]].  

===The Byzantine Empire===

===The Byzantine Empire===

===Anglo-Saxon England and Britain===

===Anglo-Saxon England and Britain===

When Pope Gregory I sent Augustine to England in 596, he started to convert the far southern kingdoms to Catholicism. Gradually all of England was Catholic. The Vikings attacked in 793 and were a constant threat. But King Alfred of Wessex conquered all of England and allowed the Vikings to rule the east (called the Danelaw). He encouraged education, especially for priests and monks. In 1017, when the kingdom was weak, it was conquered by the Danes, who integrated into the English population. Yet in 1042 King Edward reconquered it. In 1066, William the Conqueror took over.

When Pope Gregory I sent Augustine to England in 596, he started to convert the far southern kingdoms to Catholicism. Gradually all of England was Catholic. The Anglo-Saxons began to produce great works of art. Our word Easter comes from Eastre, which either is the Old English word for a pagan spring fest or for Passover. Many churches and monasteries were built. A monk named Bede (672-735) produced a book known as the Ecclesiatical History of the English Nation, which really was a history of England from the Celts onward. Monks began writing when kings were born, when they came to the throne, and when they died. The barbarian Anglo-Saxons were becoming civilized Englishmen - all because of Saint Augustine.

===The Italian Peninsula and the Papacy===

===The Italian Peninsula and the Papacy===

Pepin the Short, major domo, became Frankish king with the support of the Pope in 751. He protected Pope Stephen II from a Lombard attack on Rome and besieged Pavia, their capital, but let them off the hook. In 768 his son Charles became king. He protected Pope Adrian I from the Lombards and then conquered Pavia and their entire kingdom. Next he attacked the Saxons, a savage barbarian people from northeastern Germany. Though they were stubborn, eventually he conquered them and forcibly baptized them, building churches and monasteries. He invaded Spain in 778 and was unsuccessful. But the Song of Roland, a fascinating romantic tale, told that all of Spain was conquered, that the king of Saragossa tricks him into making peace, that Roland's father-in-law is angry with his nephew for making him ambassador and believes he wants him dead, and so tells the Muslims which way the Franks are headed. The Arabs kill the entire battalion, including Roland. But at the end Ganelon is killed. God's justice reigns. Charlemagne encouraged art and learning in his realm, and brought in English, Italian, and even Muslim teachers. He was crowned emperor by the Pope in 800 and the Holy Roman Empire was founded. In 814 he died. Louis the Pious, his godly but ineffective son, had to battle nobles who disdained his goodness. In 843, two years after his death, the empire was divided into France, Germany, and the Middle Kingdom.  

Pepin the Short, major domo, became Frankish king with the support of the Pope in 751. He protected Pope Stephen II from a Lombard attack on Rome and besieged Pavia, their capital, but let them off the hook. In 768 his son Charles became king. He protected Pope Adrian I from the Lombards and then conquered Pavia and their entire kingdom. Next he attacked the Saxons, a savage barbarian people from northeastern Germany. Though they were stubborn, eventually he conquered them and forcibly baptized them, building churches and monasteries. He invaded Spain in 778 and was unsuccessful. But the Song of Roland, a fascinating romantic tale, told that all of Spain was conquered, that the king of Saragossa tricks him into making peace, that Roland's father-in-law is angry with his nephew for making him ambassador and believes he wants him dead, and so tells the Muslims which way the Franks are headed. The Arabs kill the entire battalion, including Roland. But at the end Ganelon is killed. God's justice reigns. Charlemagne encouraged art and learning in his realm, and brought in English, Italian, and even Muslim teachers. He was crowned emperor by the Pope in 800 and the Holy Roman Empire was founded. In 814 he died. Louis the Pious, his godly but ineffective son, had to battle nobles who disdained his goodness. In 843, two years after his death, the empire was divided into France, Germany, and the Middle Kingdom.  

===Al-Andalus===

===Moslem Spain: 711-1031===

Although the Muslim kingdoms in Spain, called Al-Andalus, had living conditions as bad as those in Christian Europe, learning and art were far surpassed by it. Huge libraries and fine mosques existed there. Yet in 975 an intolerant king came to the throne and persecuted Jews and Catholics, many of whom fled to the Christian kingdoms in the north. The Reconquista would soon begin. Kingdoms in the north expanded and raised large armies to fight the heretics. French knights aided them. El Cid, a romanticized mercenary (with a mainly Muslim army often!) conquered many cities and regions from the Moors. The invasion of fanatic Arabs from Morocco inspired the Christians further.

The Muslim kingdoms in Spain, called Al-Andalus, sponsored learning and art. Huge libraries and fine mosques existed there. Yet in 975 an intolerant king came to the throne and persecuted Jews and Catholics, many of whom fled to the Christian kingdoms in the north. Kingdoms in the north expanded and raised large armies to fight the heretics. French knights aided them. El Cid, a romanticized mercenary conquered many cities and regions from the Moors. The invasion of fanatic Arabs from Morocco escalated the wars.  

===France and The Holy Roman Empire===

===France and The Holy Roman Empire===

Following Frankish custom, Charlemagne had intended to divide his empire between his sons after his death. However, only one of his sons, [[Louis the Pious]] survived their father to inherit him. But Louis left three sons when he died, and shortly after his death, they fell into civil war over the question of how to divide the inheritance. At the [[Treaty of Verdun]] in 843 AD, it was decided to divide the Empire in three parts. The western part would go to [[Charles the Bald]] while the eastern part went to [[Louis the German]]. The eldest son, Lothair received the Imperial Crown and a part of land wedged in between the other two. Finally, the son of Lothair received the [[Kingdom of Italy]], consisting of northern Italy down to the [[Papal States]].

Following Frankish custom, Charlemagne had intended to divide his empire between his sons after his death. However, only Louis the Pious survived their father to inherit him. But Louis left three sons when he died, and shortly after his death, they fell into civil war over the question of how to divide the inheritance. At the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD, it was decided to divide the Empire in three parts. The western part would go to [[Charles the Bald]] while the eastern part went to [[Louis the German]]. The eldest son, Lothair received the Imperial Crown and a part of land wedged in between the other two. Finally, the son of Lothair received the Middle Kingdom, consisting of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Rhineland, and northern Italy. Twenty-seven years later it was abolished. Belgium and Luxembourg went to the west, the Netherlands, Rhineland, and north Italy to the east.

 

This arrangement was never stable, and caused numerous wars in the following years. Eventually, the western part of the Empire became the Kingdom of France, while the eastern part became the Holy Roman Empire. The middle part, called Lotharingia, soon broke up, and was finally absorbed into the Holy Roman Empire in the beginning of the 10th century.

===Anglo-Saxon England and Britain===

===Anglo-Saxon England and Britain===

===The Italian Peninsula and the Papacy===

===The Italian Peninsula and the Papacy===

==The Transition to the High Middle Ages (843-1000)==

==The Transition to the High Middle Ages (843-1000)==

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:European History]]

[[Category:European History]]

[[Category:Medieval History]]

[[Category:Medieval History]]