Rise of the Franks Charlemagne

What happened to the Roman Empire?

What was lost when Rome fell? Large cities gone Democratic government gone Centralized government gone Focus on law and justice gone Reading & writing gone Trade gone

What remained? Christianity Germanic tribes converted and began to grow in power. Roman Catholic Church becomes most important Institution in Europe Created monasteries Kept literacy alive United all of Europe But Roman Catholic Church had no armies – no secular power

The Franks – one of the most important German Tribes Migrated into Gaul – modern day France - in the 5th and 6th centuries Fierce warriors Larger than average Battle axe was known as a “Frank” Hurled at enemy then retrieved from dead body, if only wounded would kill with other “Frank”, would retrieve battle axe and repeat process

Frankish Kings Frankish Kings had secular power – armies Charles Martel The Hammer Pepin The Short Charlemagne Charles The Great

Charlemagne’s empire biggest since Roman Empire Charlemagne is also known as the architect of the Carolingian Empire. He introduced some key governmental innovations that built on the existing system of seignorialism, wherein kings gave tracts of land to their nobles in exchange for loyalty and service. Landholdings, called benefices, were granted to many tribal military leaders for the duration of their military service. In addition, numerous Frankish aristocrats were appointed to the posts of counts and bishops and became key to the successful administration of the wide-ranging empire. Both counts and bishops were vassals of the emperor, and were overseen by representatives of Charlemagne known as missi dominici, who traveled throughout the empire overseeing economic and legal matters in his name.

Charlemagne Established Carolingian dynasty Became 1st Holy Roman Emperor On Christmas day in the year A.D. 800 Pope Leo III proclaimed him “The Consecrated Lord of Christendom” and “Emperor of the Romans” Spread Christian faith throughout Europe – supported/defended Roman Catholic Church Set a precedent / connection between the papacy and the monarchies of Europe Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, built a powerful kingdom as ruler of the Franks (768-814). Charlemagne at an early age learned the importance both of strong leadership on the battlefield and of close links between secular power and the Roman Catholic Church. On Christmas Day in 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne and consecrated him as "Emperor of the Romans". This action revived hopes that a new Roman Empire might emerge and also set a precedent in which an emperor's authority depended on the approval of the pope.

Coronation of Charlemagne In this image, who do you think the individuals crowning Charlemagne are? What does their prominence in this image signify about his kingdom? Illuminated manuscript "The Coronation of Charlemagne"

Hero of two Nations Charlemagne is held as both a French and German hero although some say he himself was neither. His success was largely due to the Roman Catholic Church but he couldn’t have done it without his own personality and enthusiasm. He listened to any voice, rich or poor, that had a comment about the state of the Empire. During festivals like the “Mayfield” (also a government meeting) he would jest with the young and help the old. He was an emperor who’s ideas and decisions were like those of the common population and therefore the people felt great loyalty to him.

Charlemagne’s Sons Mess It Up They fought over the land and eventually split it up. Lack of a single leader or administration lead to a new form of government… The size of Charlemagne's empire made it increasingly difficult to administer, and tribal contentions were a frequent threat. The empire fractured and collapsed shortly after Charlemagne's death in 814. Feudalism