A Christian Commonwealth 2: The Rise of the Carolingians and Charlemagne

Question 1

What people group ruled before the Carolingians?

Answer 1

The Merovingians

Question 2

Who was the first barbarian king to convert to orthodox Christianity? And why was this important?

Answer 2

• Clovis, head of the Merovingian dynasty of the Franks, is baptized a Catholic, ca.500 (background picture of title slide). Now the church has a Christian tribe they can assimilate. They respected the church, big time.
• Effective beginning of a Christian Europe.

Question 3

What are two important implications for the church in Clovis’ conversion?

Answer 3

– Possibility of assimilation
– Brutal, unrefined society, very brave and ruthless, but respectful of sanctuary and the power of the saints and their relics

Question 4

In the 8th century, where did the real power lay among the Franks?

Answer 4

• By 8th century, the real power among the Franks lay in the mayors.

Question 5

Who was the powerful Frankish mayor where the Carolingian dynasty came from?

Answer 5

• Line of Pepin I of Heristal, mayor of the palace of Austrasia.

Question 6

Who was Pepin I’s famous grandson, and what did he do?

Answer 6

Charles Martel

– Known as “the Hammer,” he defeated the Muslims advance into Europe at Potiers (732). They had entered into France at that point. So Martel was huge. He had a huge army because of the help of different palaces (or mayors).
– Consolidates power of the mayors of Austrasia, Neustria, and Burgundy
– Indifferent relations with Church on account of his seizure of Church lands to support his vassals

Question 7

What was Charles Martel’s nickname?

Answer 7

the hammer, because he kicked ass in battle

Question 8

Who was Pepin III?

Answer 8

• Mayor of the Palace of Neustria and son of Charles Martel. He was powerful and wanted the kingship.

Question 9

What was Pepin III’s nickname

Answer 9

the short

Question 10

Who was the Merovingian king when Pepin III was around? And, how did Pepin gain power?

Answer 10

– Current Merovingian King (Childeric) had no real power apart from the Mayors.
– Pepin holds power, wants to be king, but lacks legitimacy (not of the “line of Odin”, like the Merovingian kings believed themselves to be).
– Good relations with Church
• Inquires of Roman bishop: “should not the one holding power be the true king?” Remember, he’s the one with the real power, not Childeric. Rome agrees.

Question 11

Who anoints Pepin III as king? When did this happen?

Answer 11

• Pepin III is anointed King by Boniface (as papal legate) at Soissons in 751
– Childeric is deposed (end of Merovingians). He’s sent to a monastery.

Question 12

What are the three implications of Boniface anointing Pepin III (the short) as king in 751?

Answer 12

1. The kingship is imbued with sacral significance. The king becomes a religious figure, anointed (oil) by the Church, and it doesn’t matter if you were a blood relative of the previous king.
2. Pope has an armed ally to rely on (Pepin goes on to defeat the Lombards). The Pope went to Paris to ask Pepin for help, and Pepin gives it to him and defeats the Lombards.
3. Donation of Pepin: foundation of Papal states. Pepin gives the Pope all these cities in the middle of Italy. Really, it belonged to the Eastern empire, but Pepin didn’t care. The Pope now has lands in Italy.

Question 13

Who was Charlemagne?

Answer 13

• Eldest son of Pepin III, and most important of all the Frankish kings (the line of Pepin becomes known as the “Carolingians” on his account)

Question 14

What was Charlemagne’s nickname?

Answer 14

the great

Question 15

Name the three important implications for Charlemagne’s reign.

Answer 15

1. New conception of the role and duties of the Christian King
2. Overwhelming energy and military might to impose this new ideal on Europe
3. Resulting cultural blossoming known as “the Carolingian Renaissance”

Question 16

Why did Charlemagne set out to reform society?

Answer 16

• Charles thought he lived in a world which had lost its culture (i.e., Roman and Christian Culture), and was determined to restore it. He wanted to make his kingdom pleasing to God.

Question 17

How did Charlemagne view his duty as king, and how did it differ from the Merovingians?

Answer 17

• Charlemagne considered it not only his duty to protect his Christian subjects, but even to educate them.
• Merovingians would have considered both ridiculous: “kingdom” was merely a property.

Question 18

What can we say in relation to how the church dealt with the barbarian tribes?

Answer 18

• Triumph of Long-term Papal Policy toward the Franks: consistent support pays off. The church had been trying to educate these pagan tribes, and now it’s happening. They had been patient because they knew that eventually they could completely convert them.

Question 19

Charlemagne loved education. What did he due to expand this in his empire?

Answer 19

• Attempt to revitalize forms of learning and culture: institution of Palace school

• Said learning should be honored. Orders that reading and writing should be taught in all monastic houses in the realm
– Beginning of monastic and palace schools with Charlemagne; cathedral schools derived from training of bishop’s household from late patristic period

• Surrounds himself at Palace court with learned men: Peter of Pisa, Paul the Grammarian, Theodulf the Visigoth, above all, Alcuin of York

Question 20

What famous scholars does Charlemagne put in his court?

Answer 20

Peter of Pisa, Paul the Grammarian, Theodulf the Visigoth, above all, Alcuin of York

Question 21

How did Charlemagne help the church?

Answer 21

• New rendition of the Latin text of the Bible, the Vulgate, probably by Alcuin
• Liturgical revision and uniformity. Basically, everyone adopted the Roman liturgy.
– The Sacramentarium Gregorianum sent from Rome
• Rule of St. Benedict imposed on monks throughout his kingdom.

Question 22

What was Charlemagne’s favorite book?

Answer 22

• Charlemagne’s favorite book: Augustine’s City of God. The difference is, that Charlemagne thought that the city of God was his own kingdom and the unity of the Christian church. He was the new David over the people of God. Lol

Question 23

What was the difference between the Carolingian Renaissance and the one in the 15th century?

Answer 23

• The Carolingian Renaissance was thoroughly Christian (unlike the one in the 15th century).

Question 24

Who did Charlemagne go to war with? And, what was the impact?

Answer 24

• Charlemagne was a person of vast energy and restless engagement
– Spanish Wars against Muslims viewed as a religious war (like the later “crusade”)
– Saxon wars against pagan tribes, forced conversions (eventually there were pacified).
– Defeat of Lombards again
• Great Increase in size of Frankish Kingdom

Question 25

Who coronated Charles the great as king? When did it happen? Where did it happen?

Answer 25

• The dramatic coronation of Charles by Leo III in St. Peter’s in Rome on Christmas day, A.D. 800.

Question 26

What was unusual about the fact that Leo III coronated Charles? And, why was it brilliant?

Answer 26

• Probably to Charles it was only a “crown wearing” ceremony. He had come to the city at the request of the Pope because some tribes had accused Leo III of something, and now he is getting crowned as Emperor. Why?
• No previous record or justification of a Pope involved in coronation.
• Pope created a brilliant precedent.
o Implication: the “Empire” was a gift bestowed by the Pope.