History
gsj
carolingians_m.pptFormation and Collapse of the Carolingian Empire
- The Carolingians were a Frankish noble family that replaced the Merovingians as the royal dynasty (usurped the throne).
- The Carolingians created a new political system that was neither the empire of ancient Rome nor a Barbarian kingdom. To maintain their empire they fashioned new political structures while appealing to a legacy of the imperial Roman past.
The Carolingian Dynasty
- Charles Martel, Mayor of the Palace
- Pepin the Short, King of the Franks (751-768 C.E.)
- Charles the Great (Charlemagne), (768-814)
- Brother Carloman died 771
- Crowned “Emperor of the Romans” 800 C.E.
- Louis the Pious (814-842)
- I. Building an Empire
- II. The Disintegration of Empire
- III. The Dark Ages and the beginning of Feudalism
I. Building an Empire
- 1. Military Expansion
- Against Saxons (Northern Germany); Lombards (Italy)
- 2. An Alliance with the Bishop of Rome
- 3. Governing without a state or regular taxation
- missi dominici (itinerant judges)
- Appointed counts as regional administrators and military leaders (counties)
- Oaths of fidelity
- Monks for literate scribes and advisors
II. The Disintegration of Empire
- 1. Internal Divisions and Centrifugal Forces
- Problem of empire as private property
- Partition of Verdun 843 (C.E.)
- Rebellion by local counts and lords (milites)
- 2. External Invasions (Ninth and Tenth centuries)
- Vikings (Norsemen, Northmen, Rus)
- Magyar (Established in Danube River Valley)
- Muslim Pirates raids along Mediterranean coasts
“Age of Viking Expansion”
- Annals of St. Bertin
- Charles the Bald king of Western Franks pays extortion money to Vikings (845)
- Local lords such as Odo count of Paris led defense (also bishops )
- Chronicle of St. Denis
- Rollo the Norman (Northman) received the Duchy of Normandy from Charles the Simple (c. 911)
- Oaths of fidelity among warlords and bishops
- Vikings/Scandinavians Convert to Christianity
“Dragon ships” typically carried between 50 and 100 warriors.
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- As a consequence of the disintegration of the Carolingian political order and the subsequent invasions, people during the tenth century began to seek protection from local warlords/landlords (milites) who assumed responsibilities once vested in royal authorities.
III. Dark Ages (late 9th and 10th centuries) and Early Feudalism
- 1. Decentralized Power; weak monarchs; petty lords control local areas
- 2. Lord and Vassal Relations (vassalage)
- Voluntary personal ties of loyalty and dependence between free warriors sealed by oaths
- 3. The Fief (and the benefice)
- Grants of property or jurisdiction
- Heavy armed cavalry (stirrups, saddles, lances)
- Fortresses and simple Castles
- 4. Confusion of Loyalty and Obligations
- 5. The Manor and Manorialism (Seigneurialism) Seigneur/Señor/Lord
- 6. Serfs and Peasants
- Increase in Agricultural Production
- Heavy plow, shoulder yoke, and three-field rotation
- Provided their lord with portion of annual agricultural production
- Tied to the land, but could not be dispossessed
- Provided labor services to their lords (in place of taxes)
Lords/Vassals
- God
- King
- Duke
- Count: William of Aquitaine/Fulk of Anjou
- Bishop: Gerald of Limoges/Gilbert
- Viscount: Boso/Ralph
- Lord: Joselin/Hugh/Aimery/Bernard
The Demise of the Carolingian Dynasty
- East Frankish Kingdom (the Kingdom of Germany
- Otto I Duke of Saxony chosen king 936
- Battle of Lechtfeld 955 defeats Magyars
- Imitates Charlemagne 962
- West Frankish Kingdom (the Kingdom of France)
- Hugh Capet Count of France chosen king 987
- Duke of Lorraine
The End of Saxon Rule in England
- Cnut Prince of Denmark
- King of England (1016), Denmark (1018), and Norway (1028)
- Edward the Confessor
- Regains throne from Cnut’s son (1042)
- William Duke of Normandy becomes king of England
- Battle of Hastings 1066 CE
- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_France_1030-fr.svg
