Charles Martel Charles Martel

Nicknamed “the Hammer”

Military conquests Battle of Tours, defeats the Saracens Took Lyons, Vienne, Valence, and Durance Took Avignon, drove out the Moslems from his conquered

lands

The Church regarded him as “saviour of Christendom” - mostly he fought for the Church because it was rich and would be able to fund his wars

Before his death, he divided his land between his 2 sons Carloman and Pepin

Nicknamed “the Hammer”

Military conquests Battle of Tours, defeats the Saracens Took Lyons, Vienne, Valence, and Durance Took Avignon, drove out the Moslems from his conquered

lands

The Church regarded him as “saviour of Christendom” - mostly he fought for the Church because it was rich and would be able to fund his wars

Before his death, he divided his land between his 2 sons Carloman and Pepin

Pepin IIIPepin III

Brothers Pepin and Carloman rule together for 6 years starting in 741, their military expeditions in Aquitaine, Alemannia, and Bavaria are as brothers together

In 747 Carloman gives up his land and becomes a monk

Pepin becomes the only ruler

Pepin suppresses revolt of the Saxons

Elected king in 751 with pope’s support

Expedition against the Lombards in 754 and 756

Expedition into Aquitaine

768 - dies and leaves his kingdom to his sons Charles and Carloman

Brothers Pepin and Carloman rule together for 6 years starting in 741, their military expeditions in Aquitaine, Alemannia, and Bavaria are as brothers together

In 747 Carloman gives up his land and becomes a monk

Pepin becomes the only ruler

Pepin suppresses revolt of the Saxons

Elected king in 751 with pope’s support

Expedition against the Lombards in 754 and 756

Expedition into Aquitaine

768 - dies and leaves his kingdom to his sons Charles and Carloman

Charlemagne - “Charles the Great”

Charlemagne - “Charles the Great”

Reigned from 800-814 In 771, seizes Carloman’s kingdom upon his death Crowned emperor in 800 - and promised to protect the papacy Reign characterized by openness to science and learning Military expeditions expanded the Frankish kingdom

War on Saxons, Avars, and Saracens Tried to attack Spain as well but failed

His goal was to establish a universal empire of the West Dies January 28 814 A.D. At this time the Carolingian empire was already falling into

decline, although it survives until 888 A.D.

Reigned from 800-814 In 771, seizes Carloman’s kingdom upon his death Crowned emperor in 800 - and promised to protect the papacy Reign characterized by openness to science and learning Military expeditions expanded the Frankish kingdom

War on Saxons, Avars, and Saracens Tried to attack Spain as well but failed

His goal was to establish a universal empire of the West Dies January 28 814 A.D. At this time the Carolingian empire was already falling into

decline, although it survives until 888 A.D.

Governmental SystemGovernmental System

Hierarchical society created for the means of controlling the population and assisting task of government in the structure of society

Based off the Germanic tradition of loyalty

king - controlled groups of vassals - vassi dominici were especially faithful and loyal

many landowners held land directly from the king

immunity - granted by king as a means of avoiding royal authority the immunist could collect taxes, and were responsible for

many of the court's functions- the immunist remained loyal to their king and contributed to hierarchical society

Hierarchical society created for the means of controlling the population and assisting task of government in the structure of society

Based off the Germanic tradition of loyalty

king - controlled groups of vassals - vassi dominici were especially faithful and loyal

many landowners held land directly from the king

immunity - granted by king as a means of avoiding royal authority the immunist could collect taxes, and were responsible for

many of the court's functions- the immunist remained loyal to their king and contributed to hierarchical society

Role of the KingRole of the King

The king’s role was a combination of Christian and Germanic values

The king had the authority and carried out the law as a mission from God

However the law was still seen as a representation of ancestral customs- decisions still influenced by his advisors

The law becomes written during this period - more practical, and shows an improvement in administration

Charlemagne issued decrees called capitularies that required bannus (king's will) and consensus (people's agreement) - but often the consensus portion of the decree was forced this idea is based off of Germanic tradition - people had an

obligation to obey a rule but they could accept or reject it

The king’s role was a combination of Christian and Germanic values

The king had the authority and carried out the law as a mission from God

However the law was still seen as a representation of ancestral customs- decisions still influenced by his advisors

The law becomes written during this period - more practical, and shows an improvement in administration

Charlemagne issued decrees called capitularies that required bannus (king's will) and consensus (people's agreement) - but often the consensus portion of the decree was forced this idea is based off of Germanic tradition - people had an

obligation to obey a rule but they could accept or reject it

Relationship with ConstantinopleRelationship with Constantinople Relationship between Frankish royalty and Roman empire was

very close king of Franks seems to act as agent of the pope, as protector

of Constantinople at the time iconoclasm - condemnation of sacred images - was

spreading throughout the Church and Constantine V (of Byzantine) recruited Charlemagne for his cause

Constantine VI betrothed to Charlemagne's daughter Rotrud Franco-Byzantine alliance lasts 6 years (781-787) motivations include being seen on equal terms with

Constantinople and more freedom militarily But new ruler Irene wants to reverse iconoclasm- Charlemagne

feels betrayed, the betrothal is called off, and the Byzantine Empire and Frankish Empire become enemies

Relationship between Frankish royalty and Roman empire was very close

king of Franks seems to act as agent of the pope, as protector of Constantinople

at the time iconoclasm - condemnation of sacred images - was spreading throughout the Church and Constantine V (of Byzantine) recruited Charlemagne for his cause

Constantine VI betrothed to Charlemagne's daughter Rotrud Franco-Byzantine alliance lasts 6 years (781-787) motivations include being seen on equal terms with

Constantinople and more freedom militarily But new ruler Irene wants to reverse iconoclasm- Charlemagne

feels betrayed, the betrothal is called off, and the Byzantine Empire and Frankish Empire become enemies

7

The Carolingian MilitaryThe Carolingian MilitaryOne of the most

successful features of the Carolingian Empire

Built upon good leadership, good supplies, and superior numbers

One of the most successful features of the Carolingian Empire

Built upon good leadership, good supplies, and superior numbers

Service Service Age considered available for military service

was between 15-55King had the right to call on any freemen to

serveThose who had a mansus (landed estate of

between 25 and 40 acres) were required to provide fighting equipment and supplies

Age considered available for military service was between 15-55

King had the right to call on any freemen to serve

Those who had a mansus (landed estate of between 25 and 40 acres) were required to provide fighting equipment and supplies

Infantry & CavalryInfantry & Cavalry

Composed of common freemenFrom a few thousand to as many as 100,000Rarely wore uniformsTrained to march in formationHorses of cavalry bred to carry warriors w/

heavy armor Horses had no stirrups, so the usual form of

attack was to fling the lance or thrust it into an enemy

Composed of common freemenFrom a few thousand to as many as 100,000Rarely wore uniformsTrained to march in formationHorses of cavalry bred to carry warriors w/

heavy armor Horses had no stirrups, so the usual form of

attack was to fling the lance or thrust it into an enemy

Weapons/EquipmentWeapons/EquipmentCatapults HorsesLance Sword

Catapults HorsesLance Sword

=

StrategyStrategy Under Charlemagne, armies won without going

into combat at all – enemy surrendered w/o a fight

Tried to get support from within the enemy Successful because armies were organized with

leadership of loyal and experienced officers Before Charlemagne, strategy was to raid and

conquer towns, but Charlemagne destroyed enemy by destroying capital and army

Core of army composed of pro warriors called scara.

Charlemagne’s army was more organized and coordinated – practiced with mock battles, sang/chanted as they marched (provided rhythm)

Under Charlemagne, armies won without going into combat at all – enemy surrendered w/o a fight

Tried to get support from within the enemy Successful because armies were organized with

leadership of loyal and experienced officers Before Charlemagne, strategy was to raid and

conquer towns, but Charlemagne destroyed enemy by destroying capital and army

Core of army composed of pro warriors called scara.

Charlemagne’s army was more organized and coordinated – practiced with mock battles, sang/chanted as they marched (provided rhythm)

EconomyEconomy

❖Work Work

❖AgricultureAgriculture

❖TradesTrades

❖MarketsMarkets

• Work Policy – Charlemagne wanted the population to be as large as possible, and everyone to be working.• Work Pattern – the nobility did not have

to work because the regular class would have to work on their land. Men, women, and children were required to work, from dawn to dust (with increasing work obligations).

• Work Policy – Charlemagne wanted the population to be as large as possible, and everyone to be working.• Work Pattern – the nobility did not have

to work because the regular class would have to work on their land. Men, women, and children were required to work, from dawn to dust (with increasing work obligations).

AgricultureAgriculture

• The agriculture year –renamed months correspond to agriculture activities.• Grain – standardized measures for grain• Oxen vs. Horse – used as draft animals.• Planting – method of planting• Field Rotation – followed a two-field

rotation.• Livestock and Crops – predominated• Harvesting – used a sickle, products

used for multiple purposes.• Farm Setting – extremely uneven.

• The agriculture year –renamed months correspond to agriculture activities.• Grain – standardized measures for grain• Oxen vs. Horse – used as draft animals.• Planting – method of planting• Field Rotation – followed a two-field

rotation.• Livestock and Crops – predominated• Harvesting – used a sickle, products

used for multiple purposes.• Farm Setting – extremely uneven.

TradesTrades• Mills – water mills were used.• Cloth Production – wool and flax.• Pottery – not very common or

important.• Glass – an extravagance, not a necessity• Metals – iron, gold & silver, bronze, and

other metals.• Parchment – was very important, made

from animal skins.• Wine & Ale – often produced at home.

• Mills – water mills were used.• Cloth Production – wool and flax.• Pottery – not very common or

important.• Glass – an extravagance, not a necessity• Metals – iron, gold & silver, bronze, and

other metals.• Parchment – was very important, made

from animal skins.• Wine & Ale – often produced at home.

MarketsMarkets• Long-Distance Trade – existed mostly of

metals, but it disappeared.• Coinage & Currency – coins were served

for several purposes.• Economic Standard – loans and interests.• Travels for Markets – by land and water.• Overseas Trade – mostly with the Frisians.• Canal Project – was a dream.• Seaports – few existed, but declined.

• Long-Distance Trade – existed mostly of metals, but it disappeared.• Coinage & Currency – coins were served

for several purposes.• Economic Standard – loans and interests.• Travels for Markets – by land and water.• Overseas Trade – mostly with the Frisians.• Canal Project – was a dream.• Seaports – few existed, but declined.

Religion

• Charlemagne believed that the Roman Church was the Roman Empire• He prohibited worship of springs,

trees, or forests–The worship of forest gods and pagan practices were illegal–In 785, anyone caught cremating the dead would be condemned to death.

Religion•Many people in the Carolingian empire

believed in superstition–Magic, superstition, astrology, sorcery, divination, and charms

–Women participated in more superstitious activities than men•Often blamed when things went wrong and suspected of involvement with evil spirits or the devil

•The Church’s crisis: lack of conformity to true Christianity–Widespread superstition and lack of proper belief and ritual

Religion• Charlemagne’s vast empire made

uniformity in the Church especially difficult but necessary–Regional churches developed differences through lack of communication–Unity would provide:•A commonality for everyone in the empire•A clear structure of morality and order•Literate administrators•A hierarchy throughout the empire to make it easier to administer the king’s wishes and commands•Order to the empire

Religion• Charlemagne’s reform of the Church–He demanded that priests have good manners and lead a just and fitting life to set an example–Priests could not be ordained without examination–It was recommended that priests be able to preach in the vernacular, or local language of their parishioners

Religion• Charlemagne’s doctrine and beliefs:–Belief in one God–The Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–Knowledge that God’s son Jesus was begotten of the Holy Spirit out of the Virgin Mary–Baptism saves people from their sins–The existence of eternal life–Confession, repentance, and forgiveness relieve one of daily sins

Education• During the time when Charlemagne was

coming to take the throne–Education was a very limited study of grammar–Those who were not entirely illiterate had a very poor knowledge of Latin and were unable to even formulate a proper sentence–There were very few qualified instructors and few school books to use

Education• Educational reform under Charlemagne was a

prominent feature in the Carolingian Renaissance• Ordered that schools be established in every

church and monastery so boys could learn to read–Established a kingdomwide policy of education–Aristocratic girls were occasionally taught to read, but most were trained in household management

• Reintroduced the study of the seven liberal arts• The study of grammar began with the Bible so

that children would learn to read along with basic beliefs of Christianity• Pagan literature was used to teach more

advanced grammar

n Science

n Astronomy

n Influence from the Roman and Greek empire

n Science and Religion

n Encyclopedias

Science and Knowledge

Medicine

n Medicine

n Medicine and Religion

Isidore of Sevillen Isidore of Seville

n Four Humors

n Pregnancy

n Nervous and Cardiovascular System

n Herbals

n Contraceptions

n Surgery

Leisure

EntertainmentMusicDrinking

Sportsn Hunting

n Archery

n Hawking

n Tournaments

n Board Games

n Needlework