The Wars of the Early Medieval (500–1000 AD) Europe
After the fall of the Roman Empire, many changes took place within the borders of Europe, which have shaped the Europe we know today. Invasions and battles have affected the borders and culture of Europe.
These include:
- The Great Migration and Germanic Invasion
- The Frankish Kingdom
- Viking Invasions
- Arab/Muslim Battles
- The Hungarian Invasion
Great Migration and Germanic Invasion
During the 4th to 6th centuries CE, Germanic tribes migrated into the Roman Empire. The Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Angles, Saxons, and Lombards were among the various tribes that moved into the declining Roman Empire. These tribes displaced the Romanized population and established their own kingdoms in different regions of Europe, such as Italy, Spain, and Britain.
The Huns had a significant impact on Europe. They were fierce and ruthless towards their enemies, leading to a great migration event in which people migrated to the west of Europe. This migration was driven by the pursuit of new lands, resources, and opportunities. However, it also led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire as the Germanic tribes gradually took over the Roman territories and established their own political and social structures.
Frankish Kingdom and Great Britain
There were two important dynasties that ruled the Frankish Kingdom. Between 481 and 751, the Merovingian dynasty was the first to rule the Kingdom. In the second era, between 751 and 987, the Carolingian Kingdom ruled the Kingdom.
The Romans did not hold on to the northern regions of Great Britain. When Rome withdrew their army, Celtic-speaking people invaded the country. People coming from Ireland, called “Scots,” invaded Scotland and gave it its name. Bretons, who had accepted Christianity and acted as mercenaries for the Roman Empire, stayed in Britain for some time. However, internal wars between them caused great harm to the country.
Viking Invasions
The Vikings were Scandinavian warriors and merchants who raided and sailed across the world. They were known as Varangians in the east and Normans in the south [1]. The Viking invasions initially targeted the northern shores and British Isles. They specialized in hit-and-run tactics on the battlefield and were skilled at attacking high defensive buildings and fortifications. They knew how to sail in the narrow rivers of France, as well as the high seas of the Baltic and North Sea [2]. While the Danish Vikings focused on the west of Europe, the Swedish Vikings focused on Russia. They even traveled to Constantinople and acted as bodyguards of the Kings.
After many invasions and wars with the Vikings, King Alfred played an attrition game against the Vikings at Athelney bog. Finally, in 878, King Alfred defeated the Vikings at Edington and signed the Treaty of Wedmore. Viking King Guthrum and his men converted to Christianity, and King Alfred was seen as a hero who battled heretics and won. After the war, the Vikings settled in Britain, and the country was split between Anglo-Saxons and Danelaw.
In the Normandy and France region, by the 10th century, Viking establishments could be seen on the western fronts. In 911, the grandson of Charles the Fat, Charles the Simple, could not resist Rollo’s attacks. He became the Duke of Normandy by marrying the daughter of Charles the Simple.
After raiding, most Vikings carried Christianity back to their home country as loot. This way, Christianity increased among the Northerners. The earliest Viking Christians were on the shore cities of Scandinavia. Vikings who lived far from the shore remained pagan for a longer time than those in the shore cities.
Arab/ Muslim Battles
Muslims were skilled sailors and invaded the Mediterranean coasts of France and the Provence region. By 940, they had reached the Rhine River.
The term “Saracen” was used by Westerners to describe Arab and Muslim invasions from Spain to Italy and along the Adriatic coast. The Saraceni were a Muslim tribe from northern Arabia who embraced Islam after resisting the Byzantine Empire for a long time. The name “Saracen” may have originated from this tribe, according to some sources.
Raids and invasions continued until the 11th century. The merchant cities of Pisa, Geneva, and Amalfi turned to attack rather than defense after the 11th century. According to Muammer Gül, Muslim attacks were among the least harmful to Europe, as they came as conquerors and did not convert to Christianity nor force Christians to convert to Islam. However, the invasions and siege mentality caused by the Muslims left a lasting impact on European history.
Hungarian Invasion
Hungarians’ first notable activity was the destruction of a Slavic Princedom in 906 [2]. They were all about raiding and looting. They had a very good spy network, were quick learners, and picked up Western politics rapidly, especially from the Danubian Plains.
After some raiding against Otto I, which resulted in the Battle of Lechfeld [1], Hungarian power decreased. One of their leaders, Arpad, created the Hungarian lineage.
However, Hungarians were also quick learners in another subject: settling on a land. They learned how to farm and began to enjoy it. After the baptism of Hungarian King Vayık, who took the name of Stefan, the fate of Hungarians changed. They became the first line of defense for Westerners.
Conclusion
After the wars and invasions, whole culture and social norms of the Europe was changed. Language as we know now as Old English, had very much influenced by the Old Norse language. New language created a bond between all Europe.
Scandinavian warriors become Christian by changing their religion and carrying them across all of the North.
The most important result was Feudalism, which was born as a self-defense mechanism.
References
[1] Big Larousse Dictionary and Encyclopedia. Gelişim Yayınları, Librairie Larousse, 1986.
[2] Prof. Dr. Muammer gül, Orta Çağ Avrupa Tarihi. Istanbul: Bilge Kültür Sanat, 2022.
[3] “Common illustration of Viking warriors 2 | Download Scientific Diagram.” https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Common-illustration-of-Viking-warriors-2_fig1_305991692 (accessed May 01, 2023).
