The Medieval Synthesis is a blending of Germanic Tribal traditions - Christian Traditions - Greco-Roman Laws, tradition, and culture Result = a new distinct Medieval Culture

Charlemagne: The Medieval Synthesis Although the blending of cultures took place over hundreds of years beginning with Clovis it is Charlemagne who’s conquests as a Germanic warrior helped to spread Roman Catholicism by the sword. His strong Catholic beliefs cause him to support monasteries and reforming the teaching of priests. As Charlemagne's Empire grew to enormous size he utilizes both Germanic traditions along with Roman ideas to run his lands

The Frankish - Papal Alliance The Pope as the head of the Roman Catholic Church had enormous influence over the people in the Frankish Kingdom. 752 AD, Pepin II (Mayor of the Palace for the Franks) asks Pope Stephen II “Who should rule he who has the title of king or he who has the power?” As the Lombard's, another tribe attack Rome, Pepin gets word that Stephen has responded that he who has the power should rule. Pepin defeats the Lombards and in return the pope crowns him “King of the Franks” The support of the pope allows Pepin to gain the support of his people to establish a new dynasty, the Carolingians. Pepin’s son Charles will be given the title magnus, Latin for “great” and he will become known to history as Charlemagne or Charles the Great. Charlemagne was raised as a Roman Catholic, but also as a Frankish Chief whose power was based on conquest and the spoils of war.

Frankish - Papal Alliance (Cont.) Over time Charlemagne would defend Europe against the Muslim invasions and would spread the Catholic faith through the sword. As his boundaries expanded he would begin to incorporate Roman concepts of rule. In the year 800 AD the Pope was once again threatened by the Lombards and called upon Charlemagne and the Franks for help. Charlemagne defeated the Lombards and marches all the way to Rome to meet with the pope. On December 25, 800 AD the pope, in front of a large crowd in Rome crowns Charlemagne and gives him the title: Holy Roman Emperor.

Running Charlemagne’s Empire Missi Dominici and the Counts

Charlemagne: quote calling for troops to assemble for war According to this quote how would Charlemagne raise an army when he wanted to wage war against tribes such as the Saxons? "Be it known to you that we have decided to hold our general assembly this year in the eastern part of Saxony.... Therefore, we have commanded you to come to the aforesaid place, with all your men well-armed and prepared, on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of July,... Come, accordingly, so equipped with your men to the aforesaid place that thence you may be able to go well- prepared in any direction that we may direct; that is, with arms and gear also, and other equipment for war in food and clothing. So that each horseman shall have a shield, lance, sword, dagger, bow and quivers with arrows; and in your carts utensils of various kinds, that is, axes, planes, augers, boards, spades, iron shovels, and other utensils which are necessary in an army. In the carts also supplies of food for three months, dating from the time of the assembly, arms and clothing for a half-year.... See that you show no negligence in the future if you desire to have our favor." —Charlemagne, letter to Abbot Fulrad, ca. A.D. 810.

Coin from Charlemagne’s Reign

Alcuin of York Charlemagne who truly believes he is the head of Christendom, finds the priests in his territory are unable to answer religious questions and brings in the great scholar Alcuin of York to help him. Alcuin establishes a library in every parish church and sets up a palace school for Charlemagne and the children of his closest advisors Charlemagne also supports the building of new Monasteries where monks worked to make copies of the Bible and other ancient texts and manuscripts

How does the image of Charlemagne show all three elements of the Medieval Synthesis?