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Period: Feb 6, 700 to
The Carolingian Renaissance
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Jan 1, 732
Battle of Tours
When the Muslims (Moors) conquered Spain by 732, they were looking to continue to expand their Empire. Charles Martel made camp on a wooded hill and he forced the Moors to fight uphill into the trees. Moors attacked and Martel's force held firm after six days of waiting. This is one of the many few times in history that an infantry force with stood a mounted attack. Once defeated, the Moors returned to Spain. -
Jan 1, 754
The Papal States
In 754, Pepin the Short travels to Italy with his army to protect Pope against the Lambards. Once defeating Lambards, Pepin gives the Pope the Papal States, which were Rome, Ravenna, and Perugia. These Papal States result in benefits and detriments. -
Feb 6, 771
Rise of Charlemagne
Carloman and Charles are left with the Empire when Pepin the Short dies in 768. When Carloman dies in 771, Charles is left as sole rule of the Franks. He then became known as "Charles the Great" which in Lain is "Carolus Magnus" and "Charlemagne. The next forty-five years of Charlemagne's life is spent trying to expand Empire. Charlemagne was never defeated in over 50 conquests. -
The Bloody Verdict of Verdun
Charlemagne forced the Saxons to swear oaths of loyalty to him after he had defeated them. In 782, Charlemagne arrested 4500 Saxon rebels who worshipped false gods and attacking his forces. Charlemagne had all of these men beheaded, and according to reports, the local river ran red with blood for several days after. -
Charlemagne's Coronation
In 793, Charlemagne became the first person to unite all of the Germanic Kingdoms after he defeated the Lombards. In the year 800, Charlemagne traveled to Rome to investigate accusations of corruption in the Papacy. On Christmas Day, 800 AD, Pope Leo III annointed Charlemagne as "Emperor of Rome." Also, this did not go over well with the Emperor in the East.
