Slide 10 New Challenges, New Beginnings II (The Franks)

Question 1

Who deposed the last Merovingian king?

Answer 1

Pepin III, also entered into an alliance with Pope Stephen II

The Pope would declare him the rightful king, and he would defend the Pope against the Lombards

Question 2

What reforms of the Church did Charlemagne enact?

[5]

Answer 2

1) In newly conquered lands, he created bishoprics and established monasteries
2) He reformed monasteries, requiring them to strictly follow the rule of Benedict
3) He appointed worthy persons as bishops and provided them with income from the abbeys
4) He ensured that the church held regular synods which dealt with pressing matters of doctrine and life
5) He enacted laws ordering Sundays be kept as a rest day, and tithes be collected as if they were a tax

Question 3

What steps did Charlemagne take to improve public worship?

Answer 3

1) He required the clergy to preach in the language of the people
2) The clergy has to teach on the Apostles’ Creed, prayer and the Ten Commandments
3) The Roman liturgy was made universal, and practices like the Gregorian chant were encouraged

Question 4

What reforms did Charlemagne make to revive learning and culture of the Roman Empire?
[3]

Answer 4

1) He invited the top scholars of his time from different parts of Europe to serve in his territory
2) He introduced the Carolingian script: which was designed for fast writing and easy reading
3) He initiated a massive programme of copying classical manuscripts

Question 5

What were the reasons given in the slides for the differing accounts of the crowning incident of Charlemagne?
[3]

Answer 5

1) Charlemagne did see himself as a new “Holy Roman Emperor”: But it was his military and political achievements that conferred this role on him, not the Pope
2) the papal account sought to portray the event as the crowning of a new Roman Emperor by the Pope: asserting the superiority of the Papacy over the political ruler
3) obligates Charlemagne to continue to protect and help the church in Rome: His title and its legitimacy was conferred on him by the head of this church

Question 6

What is the Medieval Synthesis?

Answer 6

• Spiritual authority is given to the Church: To administer the sacraments and work for the salvation of sinners
• Temporal authority is given to the State: To provide the economic, political and social conditions to help the Church fulfil its task