2. King of the Franks and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 742 - 814
Charlemagne
King of the Franks and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
“Father of Europe”

3. Charlemagne’s Empire Main Idea Reading Focus
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 Charlemagne’s actions contribute to shaping a new society?

4. 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

5. Building an Empire Powerful Kingdom Frankish Empire Early Carolingians
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 family—Charlemagne’s family, the Carolingians
Early Carolingians
One of first Carolingians to gain power, Charlemagne’s grandfather
Charles Martel, political adviser, war leader for Frankish king
Led Frankish army in many crushing defeats of opponents, notably Muslims

6. Charlemagne’s Rise to Power
Pippin
Charles’s 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
Charlemagne’s 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

7. 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 Catholic church was asserting its power to recover land confiscated by the Lombard kingdom of Italy. Europe was in turmoil.

8. •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.

9. Charlemagne conquered about six countries in modern day Europe
Charlemagne conquered about six countries in modern day Europe. He ruled for 47 years and died at the age of 72

10. Charlemagne men were always to be ready for war
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.

11. Military Power Increased Kingdom Pope Leo III
Assembled army each year, led into battle against a foe
Incorporated land of vanquished foe into his sphere of influence, formed alliances with local rulers
In this way Charlemagne increased size and power of Carolingian kingdom
Increased Kingdom
Recognized Charlemagne’s skill, called on him for help when Lombards attacked Papal States, 774
Papal states, region in central Italy under control of pope
Franks defeated Lombards; Charlemagne became king of Lombards as well as Franks
Pope Leo III

12. 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.

14. Helping the Pope Another Cry for Help A Pope’s Thanks
Pope Leo III grateful for Charlemagne’s help against Lombards
799, called on Charlemagne again when angry supporters of previous pope ran Leo out of Rome
Charlemagne had Leo escorted back to Rome, restored to power
Another Cry for Help
Pope Leo III thanked Charlemagne by naming him emperor of Roman people
Title implied Charlemagne had restored glory of Roman Empire in Europe
Pope’s action suggested that Charlemagne’s rule had backing of church, God
A Pope’s Thanks

15. Pope Leo III Came from humble beginnings (poor)
Was a good servant to God, the church
Picked to be Pope
Many in the Church didn’t like the choice
Accused him of Adultery

16. 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

17. Charlemagne’s 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.

19. Charlemagne’s Rule Powerful Delegating Authority Oversight
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 Charlemagne’s counts
Rewarded counts who did jobs well, punished those who did not
Inspectors helped ensure counts remained loyal, empire was well run

20. How did Charlemagne turn his kingdom into an empire?
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

21. A New Society Education Scholars
Although Charlemagne is known mostly as a warrior and a political leader, he also made sweeping changes to Frankish society.
Charlemagne personally interested in learning, spent much time studying
Wanted leaders in empire to be able to read, write
Ordered churches, monasteries to start schools
Students learned:
Religion
Music
Grammar
Education
Noted European scholars invited by Charlemagne to Aachen
Spent time teaching, as well as studying, copying ancient texts
Sent copies of texts to monasteries across Europe; monks there made copies
Saved many valuable works for posterity
Scholars

22. Religion Law Great Heights
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
Honored traditional laws of tribes brought under his rule
Most laws existed only in oral tradition
Had many tribal laws recorded
Allowed tribal legal codes to maintain separate existence
Law
Western Europe reached great heights under Charlemagne
Empire did not survive long after death in 814
Civil war wracked kingdom, grandsons divided empire
Empire weak, invaders poured in
Great Heights

23. How did Charlemagne change society in his empire?
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

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. Book Work…Yeah!! Pages
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?