Transcript coronation of Charlemagne

Rise of the Franks
Charlemagne
What happened to the Roman Empire?
What was lost when Rome fell?
Large cities gone
Democratic
government gone
Centralized
government gone
Focus on law and
justice gone
Reading & writing
gone
Trade gone
What remained?
Christianity
Germanic tribes
converted and began to
grow in power.
Roman Catholic Church
becomes most important
Institution in Europe
– Created monasteries
– Kept literacy alive
– United all of Europe
But Roman Catholic
Church had no
armies – no secular
power
The Franks – one of the most
important German Tribes
Migrated into Gaul – modern day France in the 5th and 6th centuries
Fierce warriors
– Larger than average
– Battle axe was known as a “Frank”
Hurled at enemy then retrieved from dead body, if
only wounded would kill with other “Frank”, would
retrieve battle axe and repeat process
Frankish Kings
Frankish Kings had
secular power –
armies
– Charles Martel
The Hammer
– Pepin
The Short
– Charlemagne
Charles The Great
Charlemagne’s empire biggest
since Roman Empire
Charlemagne
Established Carolingian dynasty
Became 1st Holy Roman Emperor
– On Christmas day in the year A.D. 800
– Pope Leo III proclaimed him “The Consecrated
Lord of Christendom” and “Emperor of the
Romans”
Spread Christian faith throughout Europe –
supported/defended Roman Catholic Church
Set a precedent / connection between the
papacy and the monarchies of Europe
Coronation of Charlemagne
Illuminated manuscript "The Coronation of Charlemagne"
Hero of two Nations
Charlemagne is held as both a French and German hero
although some say he himself was neither.
His success was largely due to the Roman Catholic
Church but he couldn’t have done it without his own
personality and enthusiasm.
He listened to any voice, rich or poor, that had a
comment about the state of the Empire.
During festivals like the “Mayfield” (also a government
meeting) he would jest with the young and help the old.
He was an emperor who’s ideas and decisions were like
those of the common population and therefore the
people felt great loyalty to him.
Charlemagne’s Sons Mess It Up
They fought over the land and eventually
split it up.
Lack of a single leader or administration
lead to a new form of government…
Feudalism