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CharlemagneKing of the Franks
Ancient Europe
At the end of the Roman Empire the Visigoths ruled most of Gaul!
Enter the Franks!The Franks began to expand their empire from Germany into France
Clovis became the leader of the Franks (at age 15)
In just a few years he defeated the Visigoths and other Germanic tribes in Gaul
He became the first Christian king of the Franks after he won a major victory and converted as a result
Clovis died and his four son’s took over they didn’t do much and the Mayor of the Palace took control
The Road to Charlemagne
Charlemagne's grandfather, Charles Martel, was a Mayor of the Palace and held more power than the king
He is best known for the battle at Tours (France)
Muslims from Spain had invaded Frankish territory
He met the Muslims at Tours and defeated them
Remember the surprise retreat trick from the film? Yup, that was him.
He is credited with saving Christianity in Europe!
The Road to Charlemagne
When Martel died his sons, Carloman and Pepin (the Short), took over as joint Mayors of the Palace in 741
Carloman retired to religious life in 747 leaving Pepin at sole Mayor of the Palace
In 751 A.D. Pepin, with the backing of the Pope, seizes the throne and declares himself king
Pepin is the first of the Carolingian family line to become king
Charles the Great
According to Frankish inheritance rights, Pepin’s sons Carloman and Charles become co-rulers
Carloman died (poison???) and Charles becomes the sole ruler of the Carolingian Empire
Muslim “Invasion” of Europe
Spread of Islam
Muslims had conquered Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, and almost all of Spain by the time Charles was king of the Franks
The influence of Islam was quickly spreading into Europe!
(We will return to the impact of Islam and the Islam religion soon)
Charles tried to conquer Northern Spain from the Muslims but failed
Conquests of Charles the Great
Charles has already stopped the Lombards when they threatened the Pope and invaded Italy
He now defeats the German Saxons their leader converts to Christianity (as well as other German Saxons)
This gives Charles control over all of Gaul, Germany, central Europe, and parts of Italy
His efforts to convert his conquered foes and spread Christianity leads to the full support of the church
Charlemagne
On Christmas day 800 A.D. the Pope crowned Charles the "Holy Roman Emperor"
Charles became known as Charlemagne
Translated: Charles The Great
The Reign of Charlemagne
Charlemagne ruled as Holy Roman Emperor for 14 years until his death in 814 A.D.
He died of a fever at age 71
His kingdom was passed to his only son, Louis I
Louis I was a weak ruler and his three son’s divided the empire, leading to the dissolvement of Charlemagne’s empire
The Legacy of Charlemagne
Offices are created or adapted by CharlemagneVariations of dukes, counts, marquises
Charlemagne reorganized the monetary system, devising the system of pounds, shillings and pence
The monastic schools Charlemagne developed would preserve a tradition of learning
Works of ancient Rome are preserved