The Rise of the Carolingian Empire
The Rise of the Carolingian Empire & the Roman Catholic Church
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The rise of the Carolingian Empire and their relationship with the Roman Catholic Church cemented the Roman Catholic domination over Christian clergy in Western Europe. Both church and state would utilise each other for the advancement of their own cause.
The establishment of the Carolingian Dynasty over the Frankish Kingdom heralded a fundamental moment in European history. The Carolingians first came to prominence in the eighth century with Charles Martel becoming Mayor of the Palace (Maior Domo) under the Merovingian Kings. This dynasty would eventually create the Holy Roman Empire under Charles Martel’s grandson, Charlemagne. This title symbolises collaboration between the church and the state which ensured the Roman popes’ authority over the Western Church, and legitimised the Carolingians assumption of power over the Frankish Kingdom. The interdependency between church and state (monarch) will be a consistent theme throughout this paper. The concept of a Christian theocratic state which developed in this period had lasting ramifications on Western Europe and essentially marks the beginnings of the modern western world.
At the beginning of the eighth century the Merovingian rule over the Frankish Kingdom was essentially ceremonial, the real authority lay in the role of Mayor of the Palace. Charles Martel was an effective ruler and military genius; his greatest success being the defeat of the Spanish Muslims at the Battle of Poitiers in 732.[1] Following the victory over the Spanish Muslims, Pope Gregory III implored Martel to protect Rome from the Franks one time ally, the Lombards.[2] However, Martel refused the papal request. Despite this rebuke Pope Gregory’s desire for Frankish protection did not diminish.
Following Emperor Constantine’s conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church was under the protection of the Roman Emperors. Following the
[pic]
The rise of the Carolingian Empire and their relationship with the Roman Catholic Church cemented the Roman Catholic domination over Christian clergy in Western Europe. Both church and state would utilise each other for the advancement of their own cause.
The establishment of the Carolingian Dynasty over the Frankish Kingdom heralded a fundamental moment in European history. The Carolingians first came to prominence in the eighth century with Charles Martel becoming Mayor of the Palace (Maior Domo) under the Merovingian Kings. This dynasty would eventually create the Holy Roman Empire under Charles Martel’s grandson, Charlemagne. This title symbolises collaboration between the church and the state which ensured the Roman popes’ authority over the Western Church, and legitimised the Carolingians assumption of power over the Frankish Kingdom. The interdependency between church and state (monarch) will be a consistent theme throughout this paper. The concept of a Christian theocratic state which developed in this period had lasting ramifications on Western Europe and essentially marks the beginnings of the modern western world.
At the beginning of the eighth century the Merovingian rule over the Frankish Kingdom was essentially ceremonial, the real authority lay in the role of Mayor of the Palace. Charles Martel was an effective ruler and military genius; his greatest success being the defeat of the Spanish Muslims at the Battle of Poitiers in 732.[1] Following the victory over the Spanish Muslims, Pope Gregory III implored Martel to protect Rome from the Franks one time ally, the Lombards.[2] However, Martel refused the papal request. Despite this rebuke Pope Gregory’s desire for Frankish protection did not diminish.
Following Emperor Constantine’s conversion of the Roman Empire to Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church was under the protection of the Roman Emperors. Following the