Carolingian Intellectual Renewal and the Role of the Family

Carolingian Renaissance “Rebirth” of learning Charlemagne needed educated clergy and government officials Partially appropriate Not known for creative, original ideas. Revival of classical studies Preserve Latin and early Christian culture

Carolingian Renaissance Major goal of monasteries Benedictine monks copied manuscripts Scriptoria – writing rooms for monks Frankish monasteries produced bound books using parchment or sheepskin rather than papyrus and put jewels on the cover Carolingian miniscule – small print, not cursive, easy to read

Carolingian Renaissance Impact 90% of the ancient Roman texts exist because of Carolingian monks Allowed for Renaissance in 12th, 14th, 15th centuries

Carolingian Renaissance Charlemagne established a palace school Invited European scholars to his court Alcuin – “greatest scholar of the day” Taught classical Latin and “liberal arts”

Family and Marriage Marriages arranged by fathers, uncles to meet family needs Wives expected to be faithful Many aristocratic men had concubines Charlemagne had several

Family and Marriage Church attempted to influence marriage Add blessings to the civil ceremony Weddings should be public Girl over 15 must consent to her guardian’s choice

Family and Marriage Marriage (cont.) Emphasize monogamy and permanence Condemned concubinage and “easy divorce” – adultery of wife or impotence of husband Shortly after Charlemagne’s reign, church completely prohibits divorce 13th century – divorce largely eliminated

Family and Marriage Changes in Family life Nuclear over extended Conjugal over kin Leads to the growth of urban life Role of women Extended family – eldest woman controlled all other female members Nuclear family – wife dominated by husband, has control of children