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Chronological Analysis
- 751 - overdue recognition of long-est supremacy. Pippins consecration; had to deal with Rome in view of increasing Lombard pressure + no Byz help.
Problems facing the new dynasty
- Martel enjoyed great success - helped by unifying effects of external problems on Frankish pol community. Mil success à took opportunity of balance of power shifting in Car favour. Did not systematically exploit church lands; bishoprics and monasteries lost many estates due to underlying pol / mil turmoil. C7 had seen growth of great ecc lordships and entry of bishops into central politics. To control Francia in C8, it was necessary to control independence of these lords, confiscating their resources and replacing them where necessary (e.g. Martels treatment of Eucherius, bishop of Orléans; confiscation of resources of great family based on episcopal lordship). C9 church inventories reveal much loss perceived as being due to Charles greed for land with which to reward warriors; in fact no evidence for this until later (Pippin + Charlemagne). Martel able to consolidate authority by installing followers in positions of power (e.g. Godobald installed as abbot of St Denis). War crucial means to prove worth + rel zeal.
- 768 - Division on his death between Carloman and Pippin III (competition from Grifo). Popular unrest E of Rhine, esp among Alemanni until defeated at Canstatt in 746 by Carloman - so remorseful he joined a monastery.
Expansion: war v. Saxons / Aquitanians
- Lombards. Francia became v powerful - stronger control over outlying areas; Hesse, Thuringia, Alemannia and Bavaria had diocesan structures to match that W of Rhine. Power still based on massive conglomeration of territories. Central control over mil org. Effective govt. rebuilt through the palace - more charters / orders / liturgies / reform than previously. Charlemagne able to capitalise on consensus + co-ordination of resources after end of civil war.
- 771 death of Carloman. Charlemagnes 46 yr reign packed with mil activity / church + govt reform. Pacified Aquitaine after 1 campaigning season. Favoured residences E Francia. Itineraries determined by mil priorities à much time pacifying Saxony (all-out war 772 à, bloody resistance)
- 774 - Charlemagne agreed to help Pope Hadrian I v. Lombards + defeated Desiderius (Charlemagnes father-in-law + one-time ally). Charlemagne appointed himself king and F counts in Italy; region was a rich source of patronage to reward Car clients. Italian manuscripts + holy relics travelled N into Francia, Franks drawn into papal politics, also widening of contacts even to Baghdad.
- revolt under Charlemagnes son Pippin taken advantage of by Saxons and also Frisians, Slavs, even Spanish Arabs saw opportunity to invade. Charlemagne showed pol judgement; put down revolt forcefully / executing many thought to have conspired with him - harsh punishments from a regime based on consensus. Also logistic planning + ability to mobilise much labour - attempt to link rivers Rednitz and Altmuhl via 3km canal - would have enabled regime to deal with war on two fronts (Saxons + Avars).
- 796 Avars dealt with; Charlemagne sent around items from Avar spoil to impress neighbours. Imperial trappings + put himself forward as leader of W Christendom (presiding over adoption of Adoptionist heresy). Building of palace complexes of Aachen of Roman inspiration. Rule in Italy since 774 - close rels with papacy - no male emperor in Byz Charlemagne probably crowned emperor in 800.
- 812 peace with Byz. Charlemagne less active in old age, legislation focussed on getting people to perform their mil service (lack of willingness to fight for ageing leader far from home with spoils of war dried up). 811, Louis the P sole heir. Succession a problem - Charlemagne had only one legit son left by 813 à handed over imperial title to Louis, K of Aq since 781. Churches were well-endowed - Charlemagne feared they might be exploied. Feared also dispute within royal family + troubles with nobles despite his own success.
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