Middle Ages Leaders 

• Charles Martel - Charles the Hammer
• Extended the Franks reign to the north, south, and east
• Defeated a Muslim army from Spain at the Battle of Tours in 732 
• If he had lost the battle, the Muslims would sweep most of Europe and many people would be Christians 
• Had a son named Pepin the Short
• Pepin the Short
• Charles Martel's son 
• Historians are unsure why he was called Pepin the Short
• Worked with the Pope
• The Pope named Pepin the king by the grace of God
• Had two sons- Carolman and Charles 
• Carolman died after becoming the king so Charles took over 
• Charlemagne - Charles the Great 
• Pepin the Shorts son
• Six foot four
• Built the greatest empire since Rome 
• Fought the Muslims in Spain 
• Fought Germanic tribes
• Spread Christianity
• Reunited Western Europe
• Became the most powerful king in western Europe
• Pope Leo III crowned him emperor
• Charlemagne's Government 
• He limited the authority of the nobles
• He regularly visited every part of his kingdom 
• Kept close watch on his huge estate
• Encouraged learning 
• Opened a palace school 
• His sons were not leaders
• Louis the Pious 
• He was quiet and very into prayer 
• Not an effective leader 
• Had three sons 
• Lothair, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German 
• They split up the kingdom at the Treaty of Verdun in 843