Topic 9- Medieval Europe - Christianizing the Barbarians T2

• Medieval Europe - c.500-1400 AD, Europe

  Latin Christendom

  Medieval West
• Basic Features

  • Successor to the Roman Empire in West
  • Latin Language
  • Roman Catholic Faith
• Basic Features, Modern Europe: The Europe Parliament

  • Initially, the least culturally developed of the 3 successors
  • Initially, politically disorganized
  • Nonetheless, the origin of modern Europe
• Barbarian Kingdoms

  • Established by barbarian tribes within imperial borders
  • Claimed Roman Law/Rule
  • Retain Latin
  • Poor Substitutes for Roman Rule
• Means of Conversion - Christianizing the Barbarian West

  1. Influence of Existing Churches
  2. Missionaries- Sent to evangelize pagans
  3. Royal Coercion - Christian King imposes Christianity
• Means of Conversion - Influence of existing churches

  Example of Clovis

  • King of the Franks - in Gaul (former Roman province)
  • Converts after victory
  • Baptism of Clovis (496 AD)

  1500 Yr anniversary, 1996

  • "Founding act of France"
  • Origin of French nation
  • Remis, France (Daphne Du Berry, 1996)
• Means of Conversion - Missionaries, Sent to Evangelize Pagans

  Example of Augustine of Canterbury (D. 604/605)

  • Benedictine monk (Roman)
  • Sent by pope to evangelize Anglo-Saxons
• Means of Conversion - Royal Coercion:

  Christian King imposes Christianity on his people/suppresses Paganism

  Example of Charlemagne
• Charlemagne

  • King of the Franks
  • Conquests in central/eastern Europe
  • Crowned emperor by Pope Leo III, Christmas Day, 800 AD
  • Charlemagne's Christian Capital -> Aachen (Modern Germany)
• Sweden's Oldest Crucifix: The Birka Crucifix ( c. 800 - 1100)
• Conversion in Progress c. 700 - 1050

  The Christian World

  • Latin Christian Area, Orthodox Christian, Monophysite Christian c. 700