Europe After the Roman Empire

Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus dethroned by barbarians.

Clovis becomes the king of the Franks in 481 C.E. His reign of 30 years of war widened his kingdom's boundaries. He also led his people, the Franks, into Christanity.

Clovis had four sons: Theuderic, Chlodomer, Childebert, and Clotaire. After his death in 511 C.E., his kingdom was divided among his four sons. Frankish territory continued to spread. Eventually, the sons grew away from the once united bond of the family kingdom, and new, royal families were established.

The last Frankish king with real power was Dagobert I. The mayors of the palace have the real power in the Franksh kingdom until Pepin becomes king in 751 C.E.

The King of the Franks in 751 C.E. was Pepin. He becomes the Head of the Church, and was also the first king to rule with the blessing of the Church. Charlemagne, his son rules with the Churche's blessing as well.

Charlemagne was one of Europe's most successful monarchs. He was king of the Franks in 768 CE. The Franks were legendary fighters. Using the strength and loyalty of his army, combined with his own leadership abilities, Charlemagne soon defeated most of the other barbarian tribes in Western Europe. He expanded the Frankish Empire to include Germany, all of France, most of Italy, and even sections of northern Spain.

Carloman was Charlemagne's brother. Carloman had been ruling alongside of Charlemagne. Because of Carlman's death, Charlemagne ended up ruling by himself.

The Anglo-Saxons had Charlemagne deal with their resistance and fighting.