The DARK AGES - REVISION

Wks 1-5

CONTENTWeek 1 Fall of the Roman Empire Barbarian Invasions of RomeWeek 2 Barbarian Kingdoms The Celts Clovis I King of the Salic Franks -

introductionWeek 3 Post Roman Britain Anglo-Saxons Alfred the Great - Start

Week 4Alfred the Great – FinishThe Catholic Church – FoundationsImportance of the monasteriesWeek 5Monasteries study – in classSpread of Christianity and Revision

Week 1 – Fall of the Roman Empire• In week 1 we began by looking at the fall of

the Roman Empire and the reasons for collapse:

EconomicPoliticalSocialMilitaryPlease review PowerPoint: ‘The Fall of the

Roman Empire’

Week 1 – Barbarian Invasions• Also in week 1 we began to look at the impact of the

Barbarian invasions/migrations on the collapse of Rome. Invasion of Italy by the Goths (AD 408-410) – Alleric, Ataulf Invasion of the Huns under Attila (AD 451, Battle of

Chalons) Invasion of the Vandals under Genseric (AD 455 occupied

Carthage, sacked Rome) Occupation of Britain by the Saxons and Jutes (AD 449) Ricimer and the Last Days of the Empire (AD 455-472) Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustulus (AD 476)

Review question: Were the Barbarian invasions the sole cause of the Roman

Empire’s collapse? Explain.

Week 2 – barbarian Kingdoms• Also in week 2 we started to look at the

Barbarian Kingdoms in Europe. (Please review ‘Germanic Kingdoms’ PowerPoint)

Week 2 – The CeltsIn week 2 we also learnt about the Celts and their origins in Europe. Please review handout and information from our lesson on the Celts.

Week 3 – Post Roman Britain• We looked at Post Roman

Britain in week 3.• Watched a BBC

documentary 'A History of Britain - Beginnings' with Simon Schama.

• We learnt about the migration of Anglo-Saxons to Britain.

Review question:What were the main Anglo-

Saxon areas of Britain?

Week 3 - Anglo-Saxons • Also in week 3 we learnt about Anglo-Saxons.• Please review PowerPoint ‘Anglo-Saxons’• Also, make a list of key words associated with

Anglo-Saxon culture, i.e. Scops, Polytheistic, Wyrd etc...

• Influence of Bede on English History...review• Impact and spread of Christianity in Britain.

Week 3 and 4 - Alfred the Great• We started looking at Alfred the Great and his

influence on Anglo-Saxon society. Alfred the Great and his establishment of; a standing army, a domboc (law book), a national Christian identity, and the unification of Anglo-Saxon culture under Christianity.

• Study the PowerPoint ‘Alfred the Great’ - particularly his main reforms: domboc, fyrd, burhs, navy etc and how they assisted in the victory over the Danes.

Review question:What was the Domboc and why was it important?

Week 4 – The Catholic Church• The rise of Christianity from Constantine to

the Papacy.• The importance of Monasteries and their

origins.• Connection between Christianity and leaders:

Clovis I, Alfred the Great conversion to Christianity, why was this important and how did it help spread Christianity throughout Europe.

Week 4 – 5 Monasteries • You worked in pairs on topics related to monasteries and the

spread of Christianity in Europe: The Venerable Bede and his influence on Europe – Alex and Marco Benedict of Nursia and the Rule of Saint Benedict Asceticism and the different levels of monks – Tom and Isabel Monastic schools and the rise of universities – Kieran and Lenna Dark Age monastery; the buildings – Kate and Kathy Daily life of a nun and monk in a Monastery – Sophie and Bryana The Abbey and the role of the Abbot – Peter and Isabella Saint Catherine of Siena – Lauren and Nicola Early Abbots of Cluny – Zeb and Stephen Columba: Monk – Brodie and Sarah Anselm of Canterbury – Te Whenua and Sam• Perhaps use these topics to help you study for the test. Use them as

examples of the spread of Christianity. Why were monasteries important to the spread of Christianity?