Key Dates
The year AND day in which Charlemagne was crowned "Emperor of the Romans"
Dec 25th / Christmas / 800
It is a Germanic superstate made up of hundreds of small duchies (kind of like a county, ruled over by a duke or another kind of lord), tax-exempt “imperial free cities,” and church-run states presided over by bishops.
Holy Roman Empire
Also known as Charles the Great, ruled the Franks from 768 to 814 and built an empire larger than any since ancient Rome.
Charlemagne
A narrow strip of land south of the Pyrenees Mountains that Charlemagne seized from Islamic Spain
Spanish March
The capital of Charlemagne's massive new Empire.
Aachen
The date for the Battle of Tours, a Frankish victory over the Muslim Moors.
732
Was the chief administrator who eventually held more power than the Merovingian kings.
Mayor of the Palace
Charles Martel's son
Pepin the Short - In 754, Pepin the Short was crowned the first Carolingian King of the Franks, establishing a powerful and enduring link between the Frankish monarchy and the Church.
The __________________ were royal agents sent by Charlemagne to inspect local officials and prevent corruption.
Missi Domenici
In 843, the grandsons agreed to divide Charlemagne's empire into three parts, Western Francia (France), Middle (the Alsace-Lorraine), and Eastern Francia (Germany).
Treaty of Verdun
The second dynasty ruling over the Franks, lasting from 752 to 987 AD.
Carolingian Dynasty
These were a rebellious Germanic tribe that resisted Charlemagne’s rule for over thirty years.
Saxons
The semi-legendary ruler of the Franks, who initiated the Merovingian dynasty that ruled Francia for nearly 300 years.
Merovius OR Merovech
Site of an old Roman fortress overlooking the river Seine and was roughly in the center of Gaul.
Clovis converted it into his capital to give as many of his subjects as possible access to it.
Lutetia Parisiorium
His defining moment came in 732 CE at the Battle of Tours, where he crushed a Muslim army advancing from Spain
Charles "The Hammer" Martel
The first dynasty ruling over the Franks, lasting from the mid-500s to 752 AD.
Merovingian Dynasty
Was the last Merovingian king, removed from power by Pepin the Short.
Childeric III
Was Charlemagne’s younger brother; they ruled jointly until his death in 771.
Carolman
Charlemagne relied on these local officials to run local affairs and raise armies. They traveled in pairs to assess crop yield, taxes, and arbitrate property disputes.
Counts
Charlemagne's biographer
Einhard
The Frankish king who united the Franks, various Romans, and barbarian tribes under his rule; converted to Roman Catholicism; and organized Frankish custom and Romans into the Salic Law. He lived from 468 to 511 AD.
Clovis I
These were Islamic powers active in Spain, defeated by Charles Martel. (2 answers accepted)
Moors OR Umayyad Caliphate
Pepin gave the lands of the Lombards over to the Pope; what was this called?
The Donation of Pepin
Sponsored by Charlemagne and focused on reviving scholarship and culture.
Carolingian Renaissance
The __________________ of 782 was a decree requiring the Saxons to convert to Christianity or face execution.
Edict of Verdun