Invasions and Fragmentation Week 2, Lecture 1 History 114B

Invasions and Fragmentation What happened to the Carolingian Empire after Charlemagne and his son Louis the Pious? What did the invasions of the Vikings, Magyars, and Arabs mean for Latin Christendom? How did Christianity come to the Scandinavian peoples?

Louis the Pious (r ) Wealth + land = gifts of the king Religious reform –Benedict of Aniane Over time, offices become hereditary

Invasions!

9 th century Invasions

Scandinavians Image: Tjängvide stone. Carved limestone depicting a rider (probably a god) on an eight-legged horse, being offered a drinking horn by a female figure. Below: warriors on a longship. 8 th -10 th centuries. Germanic peoples from Norway, Sweden and Denmark Worshipped anthropomorphic deities such as Odin, Thor, Freya Danes focus on attacking the European Continent; Norse go to the British Isles and Iceland; Swedes/Varangians go down the Volga River to visit the Slavs and Byzantines

The benefits of going Viking....

Reactions of Christian Europe Surprise and fear It’s God’s judgment! –Monasteries particularly targeted –Lack of a common values system “Chilling regularity” Ransoms and Danegeld Overwintering leads to more contacts, peaceful and hostile

Dealing with Vikings Francia Generally restrained militaryand political response, until the 880s By early 900s: just accept the Viking settlement of vulnerable areas, and integrate them into existing administrative structures –“Count” Rollo, 911 Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms A much more active resistance, but destructive to infra-structure. Constantly buying “peace.” Existing kingdoms dominated by invaders Integration and conversion –“Three generations from hammer to cross” (F. Donald Logan)

Conversion of Scandinavia Image: Danish chief Harald Bluetooth is baptized by Poppo the monk. Carved relief, c Harald Bluetooth (c ), a unifying force Jelling Stone inscription: “King Harald had this stone made in memory of his father, Gorm, and his mother Thyri, the same Harald who conquered all Denmark and Norway and made the Danes Christian.” Norway: Olaf I Tryggvason (r ); Olaf II Haraldsson (St. Olaf, r ). Often forcible conversions Sweden: A Christian king (Olaf again) by 1008, but the people remained pagan until the early 1100s

More Invasions Incoming

Effects on Western Europe Three waves of invasion: Scandinavians, Magyars, Arabs Fragmentation of political power Fragmentation of the Church Notable Popes: Nicholas I “The Great,” r John XII (born Octavian), r

Otto I (r , HRE ) Saxon king Involvement in Italy  reinvolvement with the Papacy Feb. 2, 962: crowned “Roman Emperor” by Pope John XII –First in the West in 40 years

Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor 955, Battle of Lechfield Church becomes replacement for bureaucracy Conflict with John XII Wanted his empire to rival the Byzantine Empire. Friendly with Emperor Constantinve VII Porphyrogenitos. Diplomacy: created a marriage alliance between son Otto II and Byzantine princess Theophanu

Saxon Prince Otto II Marries Byzantine Princess Theophanu (972) Image: Otto and Theophanu, crowned and blessed by Christ. Byzantine ivory relief, 10 th century. Their wedding day was also their coronation, both performed by Pope John XIII.

Otto III (r ) Inherited the throne at 3; mother and grandmother were regents until 996 Fought border wars with the Slavs –St. Adalbert (Vojteck) Took over Italy and installed popes with Germanic backgrounds –Gregory V (r ) –Sylvester II (r ) Ruled from Rome

Otto III between Church and State; Conquered nations bring tribute

Aachen Gospels dedication page

Conclusions Holy Roman Emperors have returned, but power in Europe remains fragmented Decentralization prevalent—why listen to your king if you know he can’t protect you? Peasants  serfs Church takes on new roles as bureaucracy and peacemakers