The Carolingian Era

Merovingian Gaul

• Clovis I (466-511): conversion, consolidation

• Monasteries, bishops: political and religious institutions

• Power of kings: gift-giving

• Major domo begins to dominate: why?

Charles Martel

• Succession question: conflicting sources (did he really have his brothers killed?)

• Victory over Muslims at Tours a.d. 732

• Boniface, missionary to Germany– Archbishop of Mainz– Worked at converting

Saxons– State of priesthood?

Pepin the Short becomes king

• Question to Pope Zacharias

• Donation of Pepin– Papal State

• Donation of Constantine– Why does its status as a

forgery not prevent it from being used to foster papal claims to overlordship?

• Discussion: papacy

Charlemagne

• Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne

• Charlemagne’s wars– Lombards– Bavarians– Saxons– Muslims– Avars

• Coronation, Christmas, 800– Controversy

The Carolingian Empire

• Administration:– Counts, vassi dominici– Missi dominici– Bishops– Assembly, summons

• Monastic reform– Roman liturgy

• Disputes with the east:– Iconoclasm– Filioque clause– Empress Irene

Carolingian Society

• Capitularies: Legal documents

• Peasant life– Coloni, lidi, servi:

varying levels of dependency

– Upward mobility for some

– Priests

• Agriculture and technology– Crop to seed ratio

Carolingian Renaissance

• Copyists: Carolingian minuscule

• Palace school at Aachen

• Improved literacy for clergy

• Alcuin of York• John Scotus

Eriugena– Neo Platonism– Pseudo-Dionysius