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Charlemagne

• King of the Franks and Emperor of the Holy
  Roman Empire742 - 814
• Father of Europe

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Charlemagnes Empire
Main Idea Through conquest and social change,
Charlemagne tied much of western Europe together
in a single empire.

• Reading Focus
• How did Charlemagne and the Carolingians build
  the Frankish empire?
• How did Charlemagnes actions contribute to
  shaping a new society?

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By the Sword and the Cross

• Charlemagne (Charles the Great) was born on April
  2, 742, in Northern Europe. "By the sword and the
  cross," he became master of Western Europe.
  Through his enlightened leadership the roots of
  learning and order were restored to Medieval
  Europe

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Building an Empire

• Powerful Kingdom
• Crowning of Charlemagne a surprise, but not
  random decision
• His predecessors, the kings of the Franks, worked
  for 200 years to make kingdom most powerful in
  Europe

• Frankish Empire
• By 800s Franks ruled much of western, central
  Europe
• Leaders most influential in expansion of Franks
  all belonged to one familyCharlemagnes family,
  the Carolingians

• Early Carolingians
• One of first Carolingians to gain power,
  Charlemagnes grandfather
• Charles Martel, political adviser, war leader for
  Frankish king
• Led Frankish army in many crushing defeats of
  opponents, notably Muslims

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• Pippin
• Charless son, Pippin III, also skilled leader
  won many battles, captured new lands for Franks
• Became first king of Carolingian dynasty, 751
• Upon death, 768, Pippin passed kingdom to son,
  ruler known today as Charlemagne

• Charlemagnes Rise to Power
• Charlemagne, Old French for Charles the Great
• Name proved accurate, Charlemagne a great leader
• Historically considered one of most important
  leaders in European history
• Foundation of success, his military power

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Europe in Turmoil

• In 768, when Charlemagne was 26, he and his
  brother Carloman inherited the kingdom of the
  Franks. In 771 Carloman died, and Charlemagne
  became sole ruler of the kingdom.
• At that time the Franks were falling back into
  barbarian ways, neglecting their education and
  religion.
• The Saxons of northern Europe were still pagans.
  
• In the south, the Roman Catholicchurch was
  asserting its power torecover land confiscated
  by theLombard kingdom of Italy. Europe was in
  turmoil.

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Charlemagne wanted to expand his country more to
the east and to the west. During the time he
ruled, his kingdom was usually in war he waged
more than 50 military campaigns.
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• Charlemagne conquered about six countries in
  modern day Europe. He ruled for 47 years and died
  at the age of 72

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• Charlemagne men were always to be ready for war
  .they had to fight with whatever weapon they
  owned.
• Such weapons were spears bows and arrows and
  swords for those who had them.

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Military Power
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Charlemagne Brings Order to Europe

• Charlemagne was determined to strengthen his
  realm and to bring order to Europe. In 772 he
  launched a 30-year military campaign to
  accomplish this objective. By 800 Charlemagne was
  the undisputed ruler of Western Europe.
• France, Switzerland, Belgium, and The
  Netherlands, half of present-day Italy and
  Germany, and parts of Austria and Spain.
• By establishing a central government over Western
  Europe, Charlemagne restored much of the unity of
  the old Roman Empire and paved the way for the
  development of modern Europe.

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Helping the Pope
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Pope Leo III

• Came from humble beginnings (poor)
• Was a good servant to God, the church
• Picked to be Pope
• Many in the Church didnt like the choice
• Accused him of Adultery

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Pope Leo III

• Nobles attacked him
• Tried to Cut out his Tongue and Eyes
• Escaped, Deposed to a Monastery
• Escaped again, Met Charlemagne
• Escorted back to Rome

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Charlemagnes Coronation

• On Christmas Day in 800, while Charlemagne knelt
  in prayer in Saint Peter's in Rome, Pope Leo III
  placed a golden crown on the bowed head of the
  king. Charlemagne is said to have been surprised
  by the coronation, declaring that he would not
  have come into the church had he known the pope's
  plan. However, some historians say the pope would
  not have dared to act without Charlemagne's
  knowledge.

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Charlemagnes Rule

• Powerful
• Charlemagne had tremendous power as emperor
• Empire large, not easy to rule changes made
  government efficient, effective
• Established permanent capital at Aachen, in what
  is now Germany

• Delegating Authority
• Built huge palace, cathedral to reflect own
  greatness
• Chose counts, officials to help rule parts of
  empire in his name
• Counts bound to obey, granted large tracts of
  land, given much authority

• Oversight
• Inspectors kept tabs on Charlemagnes counts
• Rewarded counts who did jobs well, punished those
  who did not
• Inspectors helped ensure counts remained loyal,
  empire was well run

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Summarize How did Charlemagne turn his kingdom
into an empire?
Answer(s) strong warrior restored the pope to
power provided stability and order barons
helped him rule
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A New Society
Although Charlemagne is known mostly as a warrior
and a political leader, he also made sweeping
changes to Frankish society.
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Religion

• In addition to improving education, Charlemagne
  wanted to preserve, spread Christian teachings
• Worked closely with church to create unified
  Christian empire
• Used force to accomplish, ordered those he
  conquered to convert to Christianity under
  penalty of death
• Sent monks to live among conquered to help
  Christianity take root

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Find the Main Idea How did Charlemagne change
society in his empire?
Answer(s) built an education system, preserved
ancient writings, expanded religion, developed
single law code
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Carolinian Renaissance

• Charlemagne learned to read Latin and some Greek
  but apparently did not master writing. At meals,
  instead of having jesters perform, he listened to
  visiting scholars read from learned works.

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Carolinian Renaissance

• Charlemagne believed that government should be
  for the benefit of the governed.
• He was a tireless reformer who tried to improve
  his people's lives.
• He set up money standards to encourage commerce,
  urged better farming methods and worked to spread
  education and Christianity.

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Book WorkYeah!! Pages 192 - 195

• When did Charlemagne die? What happened to the
  Carolingian Empire afterwards?
• In the 9th and 10th centuries, who invaded
  France? What kind of things did they do?
• Explain what happened to these invaders in 911.
• What is Feudalism and why did this order form?
• Draw the Feudal pyramid and explain what each
  level offers.
• Explain the Feudal contract. What
  responsibilities did this give each member of the
  contract?
• How did the idea of Chivalry begin? In your
  opinion, should chivalry exist today? Why or why
  not?