Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, ruled the Franks from 768–814 A.D. He was a kindhearted man, who also a merciless warrior. Charlemagne was resolved to expand his kingdom to a grandiose empire, which he completed especially well. He also converted the nation to Christianity and the nation’s customary language to Latin. People thought he ruled with the sword and with the cross.
Charlemagne (Charles the Great) was the elder son of Pepin the Short and a grandson of Charles Martel. A strong leader, Charlemagne wanted to create a new Christian Roman Empire in Western Europe. He defeated the Lombards in to protect the pope. Charles invaded spain and attacked the muslums. He also attacked the Saxsons andand converted them to Christianity.
Without a consistent form of communication, trade, during the Middle Ages, was the biggest catalyst for the spread of religious reform, political organization, and societal development across Europe. How was the spread of these elements through trade important in the development of a more advanced, and modern society during this time period? The advancement of the Frankish Kingdom combined with the progress of the Mongols through Asia provided the proper situation to cultivate advancement in the Eastern World. Charlemagne came to power, and immediately it was clear that he was determined to make religious changes in Europe. He defeated the Pagan Saxons after a long brutal conflict with them, annexing all of Germany into his kingdom.
The king saw it as their duty to “defend the holy Church of Christ from the attacks of pagans and infidels from without, and within to enforce the acceptance of the Catholic faith.” (Document 2) By this, his good intentions can be seen in forcing the conquered nations to accept Christianity, but he went astray with his methods. Charlemagne wished for the name of Jesus Christ to be glorified throughout the world as stated in the letter. The king himself, with great piety and devotion, “practiced the Christian religion in which he had been reared from infancy.” (Einhard, p. 36)
The Carefully Crafted Legend: Einhard’s distortions in The Life of Charlemagne Einhard’s The Life of Charlemagne is a famous biography that provides a firsthand account of the deeds and character of Charles the Great. Einhard was a close contemporary to Charlemagne and his court, with Walahfrid Strabo’s preface describing how there “was almost no one else among the many officials of the king’s majesty to whom the king . . . . Entrusted so many secrets.” Despite Einhard’s seemingly well researched and honest biography, there are far too many distortions and inconsistencies in this work to completely trust this work. Einhard’s information on Charlemagne’s birth and early childhood is suspect.
Author of the book, Becoming Charlemagne, by Jeff Sypeck provides a clear glimpse into the life of one of the world’s greatest kings and ruler and later emperor Charlemagne, otherwise known as Karl or Charles the Great. Sypeck creates a vivid and strong look into the time of Charlemagne, early medieval Europe and some other important world leaders, including Pope Leo III, Irene the Byzantine emperor, Alcuin the scholar and Harun al-Rashid ruler of Baghdad. These figures are crucial to the story of Karl becoming Charlemagne, and their stories included in the book help form and symbolize Charlemagne the Ruler. Understanding Charlemagne and early medieval Europe is presented vibrantly throughout the book by in-depth stories, facts and a clear
Gregory of Tours became bishop of Tours in 573, in which he promoted justice and peace within his diocese. Bishops “bridged the divide between the German rulers of the land and the Gallo-Roman people urging the Franks to live Christian lives”(Dutton #). Like these other forces, Gregory the Great strived to organize the church under tighter papal supervision. Charlemagne also served as an influential person in helping the church attempt to make peace.
Charlemagne was also known as Charles the Great. He was king of the Franks and he united the majority of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages. On top of that, he laid the foundations for modern France and Germany. He attempted to unite all Germanic peoples into one kingdom and convert his subjects to Christianity. Being a skilled military strategist, he spent much of his reign in warfare so that he could manage to accomplish his goals. Because of his position, he encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance.
Primary Source Paper 2 The Life of Charlemagne was written by Einhard a little after Charlemagne death in 814. Einhard wrote the biography to make sure that Charlemagne’s legacy would not be forgotten. He would list many points in this biography, but I’ve decided to only point out three of them. These three chapters are his deeds, his family life, and his life with the Christian religion.
When Charlemagne ascended the throne and had full control of the empire, he wanted to not only rule both his people and Romans, he was also interested in his people and the ones he conquered to convert to Christianity. (Pages 258-259). Charlemagne exceedingly cared about government as much as he cared about religion, which is why one of the things he did when first became an emperor was to make sure that the Pope Hadrian I, got his land back from the Lombard Kingdom and he has also helped the Pope on countless occasions. (Pg. 259). Yes, Charlemagne was truly successful in linking religion and governing, his people or the Romans did not rebel against him and during his ruling he was able to offer people opportunities to learn and deepen their understanding of the Christian faith.
During the Eighth and Ninth centuries, Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, is the leader of the Franks and the most discussed political leader of that era. His amassed wealth gave him power to start an empire. He was crowned by Pope Leo III, and ruled until death. Charlemagne’s role in unifying Europe is very substantial. Charlemagne had a particularly influential role in the unification of Europe because of his schooling, social, and political reforms.
Einhard believes these characteristics of Charlemagne connect him to his people, and thus allow him to rule effectively. The humbleness of Charlemagne most likely stems from his involvement with the Christian religion. According to Einhard Charlemagne was a fervent worshipper and practitioner of Christianity, “he was a constant worshipper at this church as long as his health permitted, going morning and evening, even after nightfall” (Einhard 319). One of the many tenants of Christianity is to give to poor; Charlemagne is a firm believer and so he gives often. His faith also was a component in the buildings he constructed; he tended to focus on repairing and erecting edifices with religious significance, such as the church at Aix-la-Chapelle.
Charlemagne wanted to defend the church due to the power that it provoked. He worked to strengthen the role of the church in order to improve the hierarchical structure and the power of the clergy. Along with the church were the oaths that Charlemagne believed in, to ensure loyalty to all of his subjects. Using these oaths, he believed that fidelity should be promised. “Each one according to his vow and occupation, should now promise to him as emperor the fidelity which he had previously promised to him as king.”
Beowulf, the oldest surviving epic poem, has been recognized as one of the most important works of Old English literature. It deals with battles, warrior culture, and redemption in a Germanic society. Many writers have analyzed the relationship between Christianity and Paganism in Beowulf, and how these were a depiction of an early medieval Scandinavian society. J. R. R. Tolkien, renowned author of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series, presented his view on the Pagan and Christian elements found in early medieval societies, as shown in the poem Beowulf. Tolkien explained that the poem shows “the nearness of a pagan time,” and with it “the shadow of its despair, as an intense emotion of regret” is conveyed throughout the poem (Tolkien).
Even though Christians were persecuted on and off during the Roman Empire, Christianity flourished. In the early Roman Empire, when Claudius, Nero, Domitian, and Trajan were emperors, Christianity was banned and Christians were persecuted. Nevertheless, Christians found ways to spread Christianity, and many people converted. As trials occurred and the Empire lost good leaders, the people took security in Christianity and other religions. Christianity grew during the Roman Empire because Constantine helped create the Edict of Milan, Constantine had imperial favor toward The Church, and there was trade routes to spread Christianity to different areas.
