History of the Merovingian and Carolingian Dynasties

The Merovingian Dynasty and the Reign of Clovis

The Merovingian dynasty began with Clovis, who expanded their land and managed to conquer the Gallo-Romans. By marrying a nun (Clotilde), this act led the Gallo-Romans to accept his governorship since he belonged to the same religion.

The Rise of the Mayors of the Palace

In the Frankish kingdom, there existed the Mayors of the Palace. They functioned as "prime ministers," and this power was hereditary. One of the most important Mayors of the Palace was Charles Martel, who placed Clotaire IV on the throne, stripping Childeric II. He defeated the Mayor of the Palace of Neustria, then Aquitaine, and fought back against Neustria. He reconquered the eastern border of the kingdom, conquering Austria and southern Germany.

Pepin the Short and the Carolingian Transition

After the death of his father, Charles Martel, Pepin the Short inherited the mayoralty of the palace of Neustria. Since at that time the Mayor of the Palace was the only governor, he performed two councils (Austrasia for his brother, Carloman, and the convening for Neustria). However, when his brother retired, Pepin freed Childeric from the monastery where he was shut away and placed him on the throne. In an interview with Pope Zachary, Pepin the Short was authorized to take the throne from Childeric, since it must be the king who holds the real power, fulfilling the divine right (leading the people that God entrusted to him). This act of function gave rise to the Carolingian dynasty.

Charlemagne and the Expansion of the Frankish Empire

Charlemagne was one of the most important Frankish kings of medieval history. He formed a powerful, state-centralized power and expanded his domains to build an empire in the West.

• Domain over neighboring towns: Conquering the Saxons (who lived in northern Germany) and turning them into Christians.
• Exterminating the Avars: People of Mongolian origin who threatened the territory of Austrasia.
• The Lombard Kingdom: He seized the kingdom of the Lombards who had settled in northern Italy and was crowned King of the Lombards.
• The Spanish March: Crossing the Pyrenees and entering Muslim Spain (which resulted in failure), he occupied a small place in the region of the Pyrenees, setting up the Marca Hispanica as a frontier province.

He managed to extend the boundaries of the Frankish kingdom from the Atlantic to the river Elbe, and from the Baltic Sea to the Pyrenees, building a vast empire.

The Imperial Coronation and Carolingian Renaissance

In the year 800, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor by the Pope. The union of the Pope and Charlemagne allowed the coronation of the king, as it required the approval of God and provided the protection, fidelity, and religion that the king gave to the Pope.

The Carolingian Renaissance was the revival of classical Latin culture within the Carolingian empire in the late 8th and 9th centuries. It was a period of intellectual and cultural renaissance.

The Division and End of the Empire

The death of Charlemagne divided his empire among his three children, but the death of two of them delayed the fragmentation until the only surviving successor, Louis the Pious, died. He also divided his empire among his three children. The dynasty continued until the 10th century, and the throne of France until 987.