Carolingian Dynasty

Carolingian Empire

Map of Francia

The Carolingian Dynasty (751-887) was a family of Frankish nobles who ruled Francia and its successor kingdoms in Western and Central Europe during the Early Middle Ages. The dynasty expanded from Francia as far as modern Italy, Spain, and Hungary, and ruled the eponymous Carolingian Empire (800-887), the largest European political entity to exist until the 19th century.

The Carolingian name is derived from the dynasty’s common usage of the name Charles and refers to Charles Martel (688-741), remembered today for his leadership in repelling the expansion of the Moors into Gaul, and to Charlemagne, King of the Franks  (r. 768-814) and Holy Roman Emperor (r. 800-814). Charlemagne’s coronation in 800 as Emperor of the Romans established the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire, although this terminology is anachronistic and was not standardized until the 12th century.

The Carolingian kings and emperors dominated the politics of Central Europe in their time but faced constant challenges to their rule. Despite its powerful height, the Carolingian Dynasty succumbed to succession disputes, civil war, and territorial partitions in the mid-9th century. The partitions established the political basis for the Holy Roman Empire as well as modern France, Germany, and Italy. The Carolingian Dynasty’s territorial expansion, policies, and relationship with the medieval church are often viewed as foundational in the development of modern Europe. 
(www.worldhistory.org/Carolingian_Dynasty/)

Map of Carolingian Empire in the time of Charlemagne

Charles Martel (686-741) 

Charles Martel was born in Herstal, Frankia (Belgium) in 686. His father, Pepin II of Herstal, was Mayor of Austrasia - the north eastern kingdom of Frankia. As Charles was illegitimate, he initially did not inherit land when his father died. In fact he was imprisoned to prevent him from making a claim. A group of nobles helped Charles to escape and he eventually gained control as Mayor of not only Austrasia but also of Neustria. 

 

Much of Charles' rule was spent fighting against Islamic armies, firstly in Aquitaine which was invaded by an Islamic army in 732. Charles with his army and cavalry then fought and won many other battles against invading forces. His military prowess earned him the nickname, The Hammer.

Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours

There was generally peace for the last four years of Charles' life. He was de facto leader of the Franks from 737 until he died  on 22 October 741.

 

Charles Martel married Rotrude of Treves and they had two sons and three daughters. He then married Swanhild and they had one son. There were also a number of illegitimate children. Charles divided his realm between his two older sons, Carloman and Pepin the Younger (Pepin III).

 

Pepin III 

Between 800 and 888 the Carolingian Empire was dominated by the Franks in western and central Europe. The Carolingian Dynasty had ruled as kings of the Franks since 751 and as kings of the Lombards in Italy from 774.  In 800, the Frankish king Charlemagne was crowned emperor in Rome by Pope Leo III in order to transfer the Roman Empire from the Byzantine Empire in eastern Europe to western Europe. 

https://europeanroyalhistory.wordpress.com/tag/pepin-iii-the-short/

Pepin III nicknamed the Short (c. 714 – September 24, 768), also called the Younger was King of the Franks from 751 until his death in 768 was the first Carolingian to become king. He was the son of Charles Martel and Rotrude of Treves. Pepin and his brother, Carloman, received an ecclesiastical education from the monks of St. Denis. Pepin succeeded his father as the Mayor of the Palace in 741 and ruled Francia jointly with his elder brother Carloman. Pepin ruled in Neustria, Burgundy, and Provence, while his older brother Carloman ruled Austrasia, Alemannia, and Thuringia.

 

The two brothers suppressed revolts led by the Bavarians, Aquitanians, Saxons, and the Alemanni (German tribes) during the early years of their reign. In 743 they chose Childeric III, the last Merovingian monarch, as figurehead King of the Franks. 

 

In 747  Carloman entered a monastery in Montecassino, Italy and Pepin became the sole ruler of Francia with the backing of Pope Zacharias. Between 749 and 750 Pepin consolidated his authority and received . oaths of allegiance from his many vassals. In 751 he was also declared king of the Franks.

 

In October 753 when the Lombard army that was threatening Rome, the Pope travelled to Frankia to seek assistance from the Franks. In 755 Pepin led an army into Italy which eventually defeated the Lombards, restoring the authority of the Pope to the territory.

 

Other military campaigns included removing the Saracens from Narbonne in 759 and after eight years of warfare, Pepin won full control over Aquileia in Italy. Successful military campaigns in 753 and 758 led to the conquest of Saxony and quelled an uprising in Bavaria. Pepin III therefore managed to complete the military tasks planned by his father, Charles Martel.

 

Pepin’s reign was also a time for reform of the church establishing order within the previously disorganized Frankish church. Frankish prelates pledged obedience to the Pope, priests wore uniform attire, and the rules of Saint Benedict were adopted, outlining the standards for leading a Christian life.

 

Pepin’s brother, Bishop Remigius, brought priests from Rome to teach the Frankish clergy the Roman style of singing in church. The importance of monasteries and the church increased.

 

Pepin also restructured the court and introduced the position of  a chamberlain to guard the treasury as well as monitor income from fines, customs, and taxes. Pepin instigated monetary reform. He also promoted literacy, culture, and art leading to what became known as the Carolingian Renaissance.

 

In 748 Pepin III married Berthe (Berthrada) of Laon and they had seven children (four of them died young).

Pepin III died in 768 at the age of 54 and his body was laid to rest in Saint-Denis. Pepin divided the kingdom between his sons Charlemagne and Carloman. Charlemagne would eventually become the Holy Roman Emperor.

 

Pepin the Short: the first Carolingian King - Culture Frontier

Kingdom of East Francia - European Royal History  

Charlemagne (748-814)

Charlemagne (747-814)

Charlemagne and His Guards - plaza in front of Notre-Dame, Paris 

Charlemagne had many titles. He was King of the Franks (r. 768-814), King of the Franks and Lombards (r. 774-814), Holy Roman Emperor (r. 800-814) and was one most influential figures in Europe in the Middle Ages. He was known for his military successes which united most of Western Europe, his educational and ecclesiastical reforms, and his policies which led to the development of future European nations.

The date of Charlemagne's birth is uncertain. He may have been born on 2 April 747 (though some sources say 742) at Aachen (in what is now Germany). Charlemagne was the son of Pepin III who was King of the Franks and Berthe of Laon. Pepin III was mayor of the palace which meant that he had the powerful position of effectively being the ruler of the Franks. When Pepin III died in 768 his land was divided between his sons Charlemagne and Carloman. 

When Carloman died in 771 Charlemagne took over his part of the kingdom, becoming the sole ruler of the Franks. He was known as a warrior king and was prepared to enter battles to defend and extend his territory. In 773 he led an army against the Lombards as requested by Pope Adrian I. The Lombards were defeated in 774 and Charlemagne took over northern Ital and added King of the Lombards to his titles.

Over the years many battles were fought against countries such as Spain, Bavaria and the Saracens in Italy with success in Sardinia, Corsica and the Balearic Islands. Battles were also against the Avars and the Slavs collecting great riches along the way. Charlemagne also fought the Saxons hoping to incorporate Saxon land into Frankish rule. He also planned to convert the Saxons to Christianity. He brought in laws making paganism a capital offence and many people were killed. Charlemagne's aim to overcome the Saxons was finally achieved in 804 - the battles had lasted for 32 years though there had been periods of peace. However peace was short lived as demonstrated by Viking invasions in the years after the death of Charlemagne.

Charlemagne was a religious man who supported Pope Leo III against the Roman persecution. Once back in power, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day 800. 

As well as being a warrior Charlemagne was a diplomat, using diplomacy to maintain the status of his kingdom and borders  and working to make his neighbours allies.

Education was important and he founded a royal library, a palace school and scriptorium at Aachen. In 789 Charlemagne declared that all monasteries should have a school for the education of boys. A new writing system made manuscripts easier to read and copy. His work was part of the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of revival in writing, art and learning in Western Europe. This revival was strong in the period 780 to 900. Numerous monasteries with scriptoria and schools were established at various royal courts - a precursor to the Renaissance, which began in 14th century Italy. He persuaded many eminent scholars to come to his court to establish a new library of Christian and classical works. Charlemagne's intent was to establish a replacement for the Western Roman Empire and encourage learning. Literature, art and architecture were important features of Charlemagne's reign. He was also interested in the culture of other countries.

Coin showing portrait of Charlemagne

Like a number of other leaders at the time, Charlemagne also reorganised the monetary systems in the lands that he ruled including introducing the half denier. This move encouraged rulers in other kingdoms to do the same. Charlemagne introduced administrative reforms throughout the lands he controlled by establishing key representatives in each region and holding a general assembly each year at his court at Aachen. He standardised systems of weights, measures and customs dues, which helped improve commerce and initiated important legal reforms.

Charlemagne also established relationships with leaders of other countries including King Offa of Mercia, England. Both countries wanted to improve trade relationships and also form alliances in order to protect their lands from Viking invasions from across the sea.

Some leaders at the time referred to Charlemagne as 'The Father of Modern Europe'.

Charlemagne died of natural causes in Aachen on 28 January 814. Charlemagne was buried in the cathedral that he had built in Aachen, which the French called Aix-la-Chapelle.

Charlemagne is known to have had four wives during his life -  Desiderata from 770 to 771, Hildegarde to 783, Fastrada to 794 and Liutgard until 800. He also had many concubines during his life. It is believed that he probably had up to 20 children (the records vary but it was a lot) including nine children with Hildegarde and two children with Fastrada. He had four legitimate sons but only Louis (the Pious) was alive to succeed him when he died.

Charlemagne - World History Encyclopedia

Charlemagne - Britannica

So you are related to Charlemagne? - The Guardian 24 May 2015  

Sons of Charlemagne - Louis the Pious (778-840) and Pepin of Italy (773-810)

 Louis I (778-840)

Louis was born on 16 April 778 in France and died on 20 June 840 in what is now Germany. He was the son of Charlemagne (Charles I of the Franks) and Hildegarde of Swabia (a region in south west Germany).

Louis had three brothers - Charles the Younger who died in 811, Pepin (Pippen) of Italy who died in 810 and Lothar, Louis' twin brother who died young. Charlemagne had appointed Louis as King Of Aquitaine in 781 when Louis was only three. Louis was made co-ruler of his father's empire in 813 when he was a 35-year-old politician and military commander. When Charlemagne died in 814 Louis I had experienced many years learning to be a leader.

Louis inherited a vast kingdom stretching from the modern-day cities of Hamburg in Germany, in the north to Barcelona in Spain, 900 miles south, and from Nantes in France in the west to Osnabrück in Germany, 720 miles east. This Frankish empire was actually an ethnic, linguistic, and cultural patchwork of Franks, Saxons, Bretons, Aquitanians, Spaniards, Lombards, Jews, Byzantines, Romans, Bavarians Avars, Slavs, plus other peoples. It is no wonder that ruling such a diverse group of people was a challenge.

Louis had his own palaces, chancery, treasury, and mints. As well as commanding military expeditions he supervised the Frankish counts, abbots, and vassals that were sent to Aquitaine.

Being leader of so many kingdoms and territories often caused friction and rebellion. The many ethnic and linguistic groups along the borders of Louis' large empire required continual attention including the Slovenians who proved troublesome in the southeast. In the northeast the threat from the Danes was averted when King Harald was baptized as a Christian with Louis as his godfather. In the west Louis campaigned in Brittany and established his authority. In Gascony and the lands on the Pyrenees borders, Louis removed leaders from their positions when they ceased to support him.

But some of Louis' greatest challenges were with his family.  On June 30, 833, Louis met Lothar at the so-called “Field of Lies” near Colmar in Alsace (now in France) in order to settle their differences. Instead Louis faced a coalition of his three eldest sons, their supporters, and Pope Gregory IV demanding that Louis should abdicate. Conflict between the brothers and supporters of Louis continued until 834 when he was freed, reunited with his wife and youngest son and once again became Emperor.

Louis re-established his political network from 835 including presiding at ceremonies and ritual activities. Hunting was his favourite pastime. Louis also led a number of successful military campaigns.

When Louis died in 840 he was buried in the monastery of Saint-Arnulf in Metz  (now in France) beside his mother, Hildegard, and his sisters, Rotrud and Hildegard.  

Pepin of Italy (773-810)

Pepin, also known as Pippin, was a king who ruled Italy from 781 until his death in 810. When he was born in 777 his name was Carloman. His father was Emperor Charlemagne and his mother was Queen Hildegard. When he was baptized in 781, Carloman was renamed Pepin and crowned king of the Lombards, a territory in part of Italy his father had conquered. He was four years old and was sent to Lombardy to live. Although Pepin was king in his own right his father retained a strong interest in Italy.

By 786 Pepin became involved in military campaigns joining his father in a campaign in Bavaria. In 796 he led a campaign against the Avar Khaganate in Central and eastern Europe and had another successful campaign in Venice in 810. 

In 806 Charlemagne had decided how his kingdom was to be divided between his sons. Pepin retained confirmed Italy and also gained most of Bavaria and Alamannia.

However, Charlemagne's plans for succession did not happen as he expected. Pepin died on July 8, 810. His sister Rotrude, his aunt Gisela, Abbess of Chelles, his half-brother Pepin, and his brother Charles also died between 810 and 811, probably of an epidemic that had spread from cattle in 810. 

Charlemagne made Pepin's son, Bernard, the ruler of Italy while his only surviving son, Louis, became the heir to the rest of the empire. Louis and Bernard were officially named Charlemagne's heirs in September 813 and they took over after Charlemagne's death in 814. 

Unfortunately there was a dispute between Bernard and his uncle, Louis. Although Bernard appears to have a reasonable relationship with his uncle he did not get along with his cousin, Lothair. Although Bernard remained King of Italy he was subordinate to Lothair. Rumours spread that Bernard planned to rule Italy independently much to the displeasure of Louis who had Bernard and his main supporters arrested. As a punishment Louis ordered that his nephew should be made blind. However this punishment also resulted in Bernard's death. Louis regretted this extreme action resulting in the death of his nephew.

Bernard died on 17 April 1818. His son, another Pepin, had been born in 817.

Bernard's male descendants continued to rule as counts of Vermandois in Italy until the eleventh century. This time frame was longer than any other male descendants of Charlemagne and it is this line of descendants that connected Charlemagne to William the Conqueror.