What early kingdoms formed in Europe from the 400s to the 700s?

3 answers

During the 400s to the 700s, several kingdoms emerged in Europe, including:

1. Visigothic Kingdom: The Visigoths established a kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) in the early 5th century after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

2. Ostrogothic Kingdom: The Ostrogoths established a kingdom in Italy in 493 after the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the decline of the Byzantine Empire.

3. Frankish Kingdom: The Franks established a kingdom in modern-day France and Germany in the late 5th century. The Merovingian dynasty ruled over the Frankish Kingdom until the rise of the Carolingians in the 8th century.

4. Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: In Britain, the Anglo-Saxons established several kingdoms, including Wessex, Mercia, and Northumbria, among others, in the 6th and 7th centuries.

5. Lombard Kingdom: The Lombards established a kingdom in northern Italy in 568 after invading the region.

6. Kingdom of the Suebi: The Suebi established a kingdom in modern-day Portugal in the 5th century.

7. Vandal Kingdom: The Vandals established a kingdom in North Africa in the early 5th century.
Why did Christianity spread through Europe in the 700s and 800s?
Christianity spread through Europe in the 700s and 800s for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Conversion of rulers: The conversion of King Clovis I of the Franks in the late 5th century and King Reccared I of the Visigoths in the early 7th century helped spread Christianity among their subjects.

2. Missionary work: Christian missionaries, such as Saint Patrick, Saint Augustine of Canterbury, and Saint Boniface, traveled throughout Europe to convert people to Christianity and establish churches and monasteries.

3. Political and cultural influence: The Byzantine Empire, which was Christian, exerted a significant political and cultural influence over Europe in the 700s and 800s. This helped spread Christianity as well.

4. Carolingian Renaissance: The Carolingian rulers of the Frankish Kingdom, including Charlemagne, promoted education and a revival of classical learning, which included the study of Christian theology.

5. Stability and unity: Many Europeans converted to Christianity because it provided a sense of stability and unity in an otherwise tumultuous time period with frequent invasions and warfare.