Download Charlemagne - Marion ISD

Charlemagne:
742-814
Founder of
the Carolingian Empire
Table of Contents










Introduction
Background
King Charlemagne
Ruler
“Carolingian Renaissance”
Crowned Emperor
Title Determined
Holy Roman Empire
Achievements
End of Presentation
Introduction

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was
King of the Franks who united most of Western
Europe during the early Middle Ages and laid the
foundations for modern France and Germany.


He took the Frankish throne from 768 and became King
of Italy from 774. From 800 he became the first Holy
Roman Emperor, the first recognized emperor in
Western Europe since the collapse of the Western
Roman Empire three centuries earlier.
The expanded Frankish state he founded is called the
Carolingian Empire.
Background



Charlemagne was the grandson of Charles
Martel and the son of Pippin III. When Pippin died,
the kingdom was divided between Charlemagne and
his brother Carloman.
King Charlemagne proved himself a capable leader
from early on, but his brother was less so, and there
was some friction between them until Carloman's
death in 771.
Once King, Charlemagne had sole rule of the
government of Francia, he expanded his territory
through conquest.
King Charlemagne



Charlemagne used harsh measures in subduing the
Saxons and virtually exterminating the Avars. Though he
had essentially amassed an empire, he did not style
himself "emperor," but called himself the King of the
Franks and Lombards.
King Charlemagne was an able administrator, and he
delegated authority over his conquered provinces to
Frankish nobles.
At the same time, he recognized the diverse ethnic
groups he had brought together under his dominion,
and allowed each to retain its own local laws.
Ruler

To ensure justice, Charlemagne had these laws set
down in writing and strictly enforced. He also
issued capitularies that applied to all citizens.

Charlemagne kept an eye on events in his empire
through the use of representatives who acted with
his authority.


Though never able to master reading and writing
himself, Charlemagne was an enthusiastic patron of
learning.
He attracted noted scholars to his court, including
Alcuin, who became his private tutor, and Einhard,
who would be his biographer.
“Carolingian Renaissance”


Charlemagne reformed the palace school and set
up monastic schools throughout the empire. The
monasteries he sponsored preserved and copied ancient
books.
The flowering of learning under Charlemagne's
patronage has come to be known as the "Carolingian
Renaissance."
Crowned Emperor



In 800, Charlemagne came to the aid of Pope Leo III,
who had been attacked in the streets of Rome.
He went to Rome to restore order and, after Leo purged
himself of the charges against him, he was unexpectedly
crowned emperor.
Charlemagne wasn't pleased with this development,
because it established the precedent of papal
ascendancy over secular leadership, but though he
still often referred to himself as a king he now also styled
himself "Emperor," as well.
Title Determined


There is some disagreement as to whether or not
Charlemagne was really the first Holy Roman
Emperor. Although he did not use any title that directly
translates as such, he did use the title "emperor of
Rome” and in some correspondence styled himself
"Crowned by God”, as per his coronation by the pope.
This appears to be enough for most scholars to allow
Charlemagne's hold on the title to stand, especially
since Otto I, whose reign is generally considered to be
the true beginning of the Holy Roman Empire, never
used the title either.
Holy Roman Empire


The territory Charlemagne governed is not considered
the Holy Roman Empire but is instead named the
Carolingian Empire after him.
It would later form the basis of the territory scholars
would call the Holy Roman Empire, although that
term was also seldom in use during the Middle Ages,
and never used at all until the mid-thirteenth century.
Achievements


Charlemagne's achievements stand among the
most significant of the early Middle Ages, and
although the empire he built would not long outlast his
son Louis I, his consolidation of lands marked a
watershed in the development of Europe.
Charlemagne died in January, 814.
End of Presentation