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Georgia College &
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The Franks from Clovis through the Carolingian Renaissance
objectives
1. Be able to discuss the barbarian migrations and their affect on the old Roman Western Empire. 2. Be able to trace the rise of the Franks beginning with Clovis and ending with the Treaty of Verdun. 3. Be able to explain the role of the Church in the success of the Franks. 4. Be able to discuss the anointing of Pepin, his bargain with the Papacy and the theory of monarchy suggested by these acts. 5. Be able to discuss the reasons why the Franks were never able to maintain a stable empire culminating with the division of Charlemagne's empire in the Treaty of Verdun. 6. Be able to discuss the major achievements of Charlemagne. 7. Be able to describe the feudal system of politics and government under Charlemagne and the Franks. Be able to discuss the role of the Mayor of the Palace. 8. Be able to discuss the theory of the state under the Franks. 9. Be able to discuss the major achievements of the Carolingian Renaissance.FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Consider the conversions of Constantine and Clovis. Were these conversions practical or spiritual? Are there instances in your own society of religion used in the service of the state or as a matter of expediency? Define the term "renaissance." How many different ways can this term be applied to the cultures we have studied? Which cultures seem to fit best the definition of the term you formulated? God of Clotilda, if you grant me victory I shall become a Christian. Legendary vow of Clovis before battleI. The Franks: The Merovingian Dynasty A. Clovis (481-511 a.d.) B. Clotilda and the conversion of the Franks C. Christianity as a political weapon D. the succession problems in the kingdom of the Franks: the kingdom as private property vs. modern political theory the power and role of the king -- the long haired kings. the origin of the officials of state E. The Mayors of the palace -- Charles Martel (the Hammer) the defeat of the Muslims at Poitiers (732-733 a.d.) F. Pepin the Short and the deposition of the king of the Franks -- the Carolingian dynasty i. his appeal to the pope and coronation in 751 a.d. ii. the donation of Pepin (the papal states in 756 a.d.) iii. the significance of the his coronation by the papal legate. "Rule by the power of God" (and through the church!) G. Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus) 768-814 a.d. i. the Life of Charlemagne by Einhard ii. the appeal from the pope and the defeat of the Lombards iii. the conquest and conversion of the Saxons iv. the wars against the Spanish Muslims: The Song of Roland v. his coronation as Roman Emperor in 800 a.d. by the pope and its significance in political history vi. the political structure of Charlemagne's empire the missi dominici feudalism: lord/vassal homage investiture fief feudal obligations the church and feudalism vii. the Carolingian Renaissance Alcuin Carolingian minuscule and the preservation of ancient manuscripts H. Louis the Pious and his sons Lothar Charles the Bald Louis the German the Treaty of Verdun 843 a.d. Charles the Bald and the loss of the west the deposition of his successor -- Charles the fat the last Carolingian in the Germanies -- 911 a.d. OUTLINE