The Franks
The Frankish Merovingian Kingdom (481-768)
The Franks claimed to descend from the mythological figure Merovech. Their leader, Clovis
(also known as Chlodwig) defeated all rival tribes and converted to Christianity (Roman
Catholicism). He was baptized in 496 and became an ally of Rome in the fight against Arianism.
With the establishment of the Frankish Merovingian kingdom, the political and cultural alliance
between the Church and Frankish monarchy begins. Around 600, civil war broke out among the
Franks. Real power was held by the Palace Mayors, the most important were Charles Martel
(714-741), and his two sons, Carloman and Pepin.
During the reign of Pope Gregory the Great (590-604), Roman Benedictine missionaries
were sent to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons, and their disciples then set out to
convert the Germanic people on the continent, e.g. Bonafice, the Apostle of the
Germans, who became bishop of the Frankish-German Church in 722.
The Carolingian Dynasty (754-918)
In 752 Bonafice anointed Pepin king of the Franks, which marked the beginning of the
Carolingian Dynasty. From 754-56, Pepin helps the Pope defeat the Lombards who were
invading northern Italy. The liberated lands were then given to the Pope (a gift known as the
"Donation of Pepin") and became the basis for the Papal States. Pepin's son was Charlemagne
(768-814).
Charlemagne
Known to the French as Charlemagne, and known to the Germans as Charles the Great (Karl der
Große), Charlemagne conquered the Saxons and forced them to convert to Christianity 772-804.
►In 800 Charlemagne was crowned "Emperor of the Romans" by Pope Leo III in St. Peter's
Basilica in Rome on Christmas Day. Charlemagne desired to emulate the glory of Rome at his
court in Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle).
The Carolingian Renaissance
1. School of the Palace
2. Court Academy
3. Painting
4. Architecture
Charlemagne’s Chapel in Aachen (796-804) was built in the style of San Vitale at Ravenna,
Italy, a church which itself was a replica of Justinian's Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom)
in Constantinople.
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