Early Medieval Europe Flashcards
During which centuries did Germanic tribes establish kingdoms across former Roman territories, and which were the most significant kingdoms?
From the 5th to 7th centuries CE, kingdoms such as the Visigothic Kingdom in Spain, Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy, Frankish Kingdom in Gaul, and Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms in Britain emerged, blending Roman and tribal traditions.
When did the Western Roman Empire officially collapse, who was involved, and what were its consequences?
The Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE when Odoacer deposed Romulus Augustulus, marking the transition to medieval Europe and the rise of barbarian kingdoms.
When did Clovis, the king of the Franks, convert to Christianity, and why was this significant?
Clovis converted to Christianity in 496 CE, aligning the Frankish Kingdom with the Roman Catholic Church, which strengthened his rule and laid the foundation for the Carolingian dynasty.
When did Emperor Justinian rule, and what were his key achievements in preserving Roman heritage?
527–565 CE, Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire, codified Roman law (Corpus Juris Civilis), attempted to reconquer the Western Roman territories, and built the Hagia Sophia.
When did Islam emerge, and how did its rapid expansion impact medieval Europe?
Islam emerged in the early 7th century (622 CE, the Hijra) with Muhammad in Arabia. By the 8th century, Islamic forces had conquered Spain (711 CE) and were stopped at the Battle of Tours (732 CE) by Charles Martel.
When did Charlemagne rule, and what was the significance of his coronation as Holy Roman Emperor?
Charlemagne ruled from 768 to 814 CE. In 800 CE, he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope, strengthening the alliance between the Frankish monarchy and the Church.
When did the Viking Age begin, and what were its effects on Europe?
The Viking Age began in 793 CE with the raid on Lindisfarne, marking the start of Norse invasions across Britain, France, and Eastern Europe, leading to the settlement of Normandy and the Danelaw.
When was the Carolingian Empire divided under the Treaty of Verdun, and what were its consequences?
In 843 CE, the Treaty of Verdun divided Charlemagne’s empire among his grandsons, creating the foundations of France, Germany, and Italy, leading to the fragmentation of central authority in medieval Europe.
When was the Holy Roman Empire officially established, and who was its first emperor?
The Holy Roman Empire was officially established in 962 CE when Otto I was crowned Emperor by the Pope, marking the revival of imperial rule in Western Europe.
Around what time did feudalism become the dominant social structure in medieval Europe, and what factors contributed to its rise?
Feudalism became dominant in the late 9th and 10th centuries, due to the collapse of central authority, Viking invasions, and the decline of Carolingian power, leading to a system of land-based loyalty and decentralized governance.
When was the Visigothic Kingdom established, and how did it come to dominate Spain?
The Visigothic Kingdom was established in 418 CE as a foederati (allied) state of Rome in Gaul but later moved to Hispania (Spain) after 507 CE, following their defeat by the Franks at the Battle of Vouillé.
When did the Visigoths sack Rome, and who led them?
The Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 CE, led by King Alaric I. This event symbolized the decline of Roman power in the West and marked the first time in nearly 800 years that Rome had been taken by a foreign force.
When did the Ostrogoths establish their kingdom in Italy, and who was their most famous ruler?
The Ostrogothic Kingdom was founded in 493 CE by Theodoric the Great, who defeated and killed Odoacer in Ravenna. Theodoric maintained Roman traditions while ruling over a Germanic elite.
When and why did the Ostrogothic Kingdom collapse?
The Ostrogothic Kingdom fell in 553 CE after Justinian I’s Byzantine forces, led by General Belisarius and later Narses, defeated them in the Gothic War (535–553 CE), re-establishing imperial control over Italy.
When did Clovis I unite the Frankish tribes, and why was his conversion to Christianity significant?
Clovis united the Franks in 481 CE and converted to Catholic Christianity in 496 CE, securing the support of the Roman Catholic Church and distinguishing the Franks from Arian Christian Germanic kingdoms.
When did the Franks defeat the Visigoths at the Battle of Vouillé, and what was its impact?
The Battle of Vouillé in 507 CE saw Clovis I defeat the Visigoths, driving them into Spain and making Gaul (modern France) the heartland of the Frankish Kingdom.
When did the Anglo-Saxons begin to settle in Britain, and what kingdoms emerged?
The Anglo-Saxon migration began in the mid-5th century, with kingdoms like Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria, and Kent forming by the 6th–7th centuries CE after the decline of Roman rule in Britain.
When did the Lombards establish their kingdom in Italy, and what was their relationship with the Pope?
The Lombards invaded Italy in 568 CE, founding their kingdom with Pavia as its capital in 572 CE. Their rule was often at odds with the Papacy, leading to Charlemagne’s conquest of the Lombards in 774 CE.
When did the Burgundians establish their kingdom, and what happened to them?
The Burgundians settled in Gaul in 443 CE under Roman permission but later expanded, forming the Kingdom of Burgundy. They were conquered by the Franks in 534 CE, becoming part of the Frankish realm.
When and how did the Visigothic Kingdom in Spain come to an end?
The Visigothic Kingdom fell in 711 CE after the Umayyad Caliphate’s invasion, led by Tariq ibn Ziyad. The decisive battle at Guadalete saw the death of King Roderic, leading to Islamic rule in most of Spain.