The Carolingian

Empire

Objectives

- Why is the Carolingian Empire important to history?

- Who was Charlemagne?

- How the land and the goberment works?

The Franks

Historical Events• The Empire is at it’s peak during final 8th century

and first part of the 9th.

• At the end of 9th century crisis

• First gobernor Charles Martel. He stopped the Muslims in Tours (732).

• His son was Pippin ‘the Short’, father of Charlemagne.

• Charlemagne (742-814) is the most important king of the Carolingian Empire.

• He wants to re-establish unity and splendour.

Charlemagne

The only contemporary description of Charlemagne comes from his friend Einhard, who states he “was large and strong, and of lofty stature, though not disproportionately tall (his height is well known to have been seven times the length of his foot); the upper part of his head was round, his eyes very large and animated, nose a little long, hair fair, and face laughing and merry”.

Why is Charlemagne such an important historical figure?

Because he is the founding father of 2 countries (Germany and France)

He conquered the Lombard Kingdom (Italy), defeated the Saxons and took territories on the Iberian Peninsula.

Christianized the last big pagan groups in Europe

Founded the Holy Roman Empire

Was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope in 800.

Set up schools for the clergy (monks, priests)

Revived political and cultural life of the Middle Ages

Carolingian SocietyThree social groups:

Emperor Nobles and High Church → owner the land and

occupied the higher positions in the administration. Free people → Artisans/craftmen, Merchants

(comerciantes), Peasants (campesinos). Serfs → Descendants of slaves who were bound to

the land (pertenecían a ese feudo. Tenían dueño, el mismo de la tierra); they could not leave without the lord's permission.

From slavery to serfIn the 4th and 5th century, as western civilization

crashed, people still needed food and safety. They needed men to protect and hold areas, so they gave land to Barons, who in turn gave protection.

Poor people, with nothing and nowhere to turn, arrived on these lands, and the lords would offer them protection if they agreed to work the land for six days a week, the 7th they could keep whatever they did for themselves.

Overtime they lost rights and they have to pay for everything (use the mill, for example).

Economic activity Agriculture was the main activity.

Cereals → Basic Food.

The nobles and the High Church owned the land

Manor Lands (Señoríos) → whose produce belonged to the owner of the land. They use serfs (siervos) as workforce.

Fiefs (Feudos) → Smaller, they were rented by the peasants (campesinos).

Culture

• Revival of culture inspired by Roman models.

• Literature, architecture and arts were promoted and acquired great importance.

• Latin was used as the language of education and administration.

Art

Three main achievements

• Manuscripts

• Small sculpturesThey copy the Roman models

Roman Carolingian

• Palatine Chapel− Charlemagne built his palace in

Aachen (Germany).− Nowadays only the Palatine Chapel

remains.

The division of the Empire

According to custom, Charlemagne’s kingdom was divided among his sons.

Charlemagne had only one surviving son, but then the Empire was divided in 3 parts.

843 Treaty of Verdum Confirmed the division of the Empire.