Early Middle Ages: The Carolingians (751-843)
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"He that rules his spirit is better than he that takes a city."-Charlemagne
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This section of our history studies had a lot of information in it. We began reviewing where we had left off on France's history with Clovis. After Clovis there were a number of "do-nothing" kings as they let the running of the government fall to the Mayors. Charles Martel was one of these Mayors and he led the Franks against the invading Muslims at Poitiers or Tours. Charles founded the Carolingian dynasty. Pepin's sons, Carloman and Charlemagne inherited the kingdom and Charlemagne, who supported the Roman church, was crowned as the first Holy Roman Emperor. Charlemagne encouraged learning and founded many schools, cathedrals and monasteries. His successor, Louis the Pious ruled successfully but on his death the empire was divided between his three sons.
- Read from The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, pages 114-115. Make notes of key words as you read. Write a few sentences about what you have learned in your history notebook. Another option is to use the Medieval History Portfolio, Homeschool Journey or Write From Medieval History, Level 2, pages 133-35 and I39-41.
- Read Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of the Middle Ages, chapters IX and X.
- Color an appropriate map such as the one with History Odyssey, Pandia Press, Level 1 (1-4th grade), Level 2 (5th-8th grade), or make a map that indicates the area that was occupied by the Muslims, the Pyrenees mountains, the areas of the Saxons, Lombards, Franks, Allememani (Bavaria), and the North Sea, Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Locate and add the city of Tours.
Narration Questions:
- Make a map that indicates the area that was occupied by the Muslims, the Pyrenees mountains, the areas of the Saxons, Lombards, Franks, Allememani (Bavaria), and the North Sea, Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Locate and add the city of Tours.
- What areas did the Muslims (Saracens) intend to conquer?
- Describe the character of the French kinds of this period. What were they interested in? Describe the duties of the Mayor of the Palace.
- Name two famous Mayors of the Palace and tell about what made them famous.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Tours?
- What does "Martel" mean and why was this name given to Charles?
- Who interacted with the Saxons and the Lombards and what was the nature of the interaction?
- Describe Charlemagne's attitude toward learning and in what ways did he attempt to further education in France?
- Create an illuminated letter.
- Compare Charlemagne to Alexander the Great. How were they alike and how were they different?
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| from Medieval History Portfolio, Homeschool Journey |
similar posts:
- The Barbarian Kingdoms and the Return to Christianity {9-500}
- Charlemagne's Empire (770-840) & The Holy Roman Empire (960-1250) The Struggle for Spain {700-1139}
sources and resources:
- Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, pages 114-115
- The Story of the World, book Two, chapter 11
- Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia of World History, pages 186-191, 194-195
- Write From Medieval History, Level 2, pages I33-35 and I39-41
- Greenleaf Guide to Famous Men of the Middle Ages, chapters IX and X
- A Child's History of the World, Virgil M. Hillyer, page 201-205
- Medieval History Portfolio, Homeschool Journey
- History Odyssey, Pandia Press, Level 1 (1-4th grade), Level 2 (5th-8th grade or Level 3 (9th-12th grade)
Next Medieval History post: The Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258)
