4 Rise and Fall of the Carolingian Empire

The Carolingian Empire was a brief, shining 200 years of history. To find the beginning of the story, one must look back to the Merovingians. After Clovis defeated the Roman last Roman ruler in Gaul, he successfully turned to the Frankish territories. At some point he converted to Catholicism instead of the German form of Christianity. The dynasty that Clovis began, stayed in power over a fluctuating area of Central Europe for two centuries. In about 640, the rulers attitudes to sovereignty changed somewhat. They began to be bored with the minutiae of running a state, and began to seek their own amusement elsewhere. This left the rest of the nobility without strong leadership. An office known as Mayor of the Palace was established and set up a regent. Over the course of the next century various men serving as Mayor of the Palace, consolidated increasing power in the office. In the mid 700’s Charles was appointed to the office. He was shrewd strategist and a brilliant general. He drew so much power to himself that the Pope offered him the title of Consul, which he refused. His greatest victory was at the Battle of Tours. He was acclaimed a national hero, and from then ruled with impunity. His son Pippin I, deposed the final “do-nothing” Merovingian king Childeric III in 751. The Pope anointed Pippin King usering in the Carolingian Dynasty.



The Fall of the Carolingian Empire The Germanic tribe known as the Franks established and ruled the Frankish Empire from the fifth through the tenth century in the ancient territory of Gaul (encompassing portions of modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands). The Carolingian Empire refers to the rule of the Carolingian dynasty, which ruled the Frankish Empire during the Early Middle Ages from 800 to 888 CE. During its period of domination the Frankish Empire, spanning parts of present-day France and Germany, had two monastic dynasties, the Carolingian being the second and most influential one. The Carolingian Empire ruled the Frankish state in one form or another through the early tenth century. The Frankish Empire under the rule of the Carolingian dynasty was one of the most powerful empires in Western Europe during the Early Middle Ages. Today the Carolingian Empire is considered to be the precursor to the modern states of France and Germany, as well as the historical forerunner to the Holy Roman Empire. Pepin the Short’s ascendency to the Crown and appointment as king of the Franks in the middle of the eighth century launched the beginning of the Carolingian dynasty. The Carolingian family came to power following the Battle of Tours in 732. The battle was fought between the Frankish and neighboring Burgundian forces against the Muslims. The Franks were victorious, successfully fending off the Muslims and preventing them from advancing further into Europe. The victory at the Battle of Tours was one of the integral factors leading to the rise of the Carolingian dynasty and the creation of Carolingian Empire. The Carolingians dominated the Frankish empire and expanded their power throughout Europe for the following century. The Carolingian Empire spanned from 750 to 987, under the rule of Charlemagne and his family. Today, scholars mark the beginning of the Carolingian Empire with the crowning of Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, and his coronation by Pope Leo III (800). The collapse of the Carolingian and the Frankish Empire is usually associated with the death of Charles the Fat (839–888). The Reign of Charlemagne Charlemagne was born in 742 and ruled the Frankish realms from 800 to 814. Charlemagne was the son of King Pepin the Short, who is considered the founding member of the Carolingian dynasty. Charlemagne’s reign in Western Europe is remembered today for its expansionary and unifying accomplishments throughout the region. Following the collapse of the western portion of the Holy Roman Empire, the Frankish Empire under Charlemagne was one of the first to follow in its footsteps as a major and influential powerhouse in Western Europe. Charlemagne extended his influence, and the power of the Frankish Empire, into a large portion of Western and Central Europe. He was responsible for successfully conquering portions of Italy as well. Charlemagne is referred to as Charles I in the history of France, Germany, and the Holy Roman Empire. This reflects his widespread influence throughout Western Europe. His reign shaped the course of history in Western Europe and, to a certain