The Rise and Fall of the Carolingian Empire

Merovingian Dynasty

457

The
Merovingian dynasty established a monarchy that replaced the Western Roman Empire
and reigned over the Frankish Empire from the late fifth through the eighth century.

The Establishment of Francia

481

King Clovis (ca. 466–511) was
the first Frankish king and was responsible for uniting the disparate Frankish tribes into
one kingdom, called Francia. At the urging of his wife, Clotilde, King Clovis converted to
Catholicism in around 496, and was thus the first Catholic King to rule over Francia. He
also established a precedent for future Frankish kings to rule as Catholics. Clovis’s
conversion to Christianity guaranteed support and aid from Catholic Rome.

The Battle of Tours

Oct 10, 732

The Battle of torus was one of the integral factors that led to the rise of the Carolingian Empire. It was fought between Franks, their Burgundian allies led by Charles Martel against the invading Islamic army of Emir Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi Abd al Rahman, near the city of Tours, France.

Reign and Death of Charles Martel

Oct 22, 741

Martel was the first one to create the Frankish cavalry. With his reign and leadership, he had led various victories for the Franks. While he was never had the title of the King, he was considered the king of Franks until his death on Oct. 22, 0741.

The Reign of Pippin the Short / Pippin III/ Pippin the Younger

Apr 9, 751

Martel's sons Pippin and Carolman soon ruled teh Franks after his death. However, Carolman chose to join the clergy and left Pippin to rule. But despite that, Pippin had to depose Childeric III first. Using forgery and smooth communication with the Pope, Pippin gained the favors of the church allowing him to be appointed as King in 751

The Siege of Pavia and Charlemagne's becoming King of Lombards

May 1, 774

Charles the Great had created an alliance with the Lombards by marrying the King's daughter, Desiderata. However, within the sam year of the marriage, Charles ahd changed his mind and divorced his wife sending back Desiderata to his father. This had become and insult to teh Lombards. Thinking that teh Lombards would attack them, Charles marched towards Lombard Italy and defeated the Lombards at their capital Pavia and had himself declared as Rex Langobardorum.

The Rise of Charlemagne

Dec 25, 800

After the death of Pippin III, his kingdom was ruled jointly by his sons Carolman and Charles. However, Carolman died in 771 a few years after Pippin III's death. Charlemagne became the sole ruler of the kingdom. Charlemagned. determine to strengthen the kingdo ad bring order to Europe launched a 30 -year military campaign that would brought the carolingian renaissance. Charles the Great was crowned by Pope Leo III in 800.

The Death of Charlemagne

Jan 28, 814

Charlemagne brought a lot of victories to his kingdo and initiated the Carolingian renaissance. Until the four years of his reign, Charlemagne had maintained good health. In 813, he crowned his son Louis the Pious, King of Aquitaine, as his co-emperor. But then, he acquired Pleurisy, causing his death in the 814. His son became teh sole emperor of the kingdom.

The Partible Sucession

Jan 1, 838

Louis the Pious divided his empire to his three sons, Lothair, Louis the German, and Charles the Bald. This act had caused the begnning of teh Frankish empire weakening.

Treaty of Verdun

Aug 1, 843

Th first treaty that caused the dissolution of the Frankish empir where Louis of Pious divided his empire into his three sons.

Lothair I

Sep 16, 849

After the death of Louis the Pious, his son, Lothair I emerged to the throne in 833. But due to the Treaty of Verdun, he was only given the middle part of the kingdom.

Treaty of Prüm

Sep 19, 855

Lothair I knowing that he was likely to die divided his realm of the Middle Francia among his sons. His eldest son, Louis II was granted the imperial crown and the Kingdom of Italy. Lothair II, the second son was granted Frisia and parts of the Austrasia. This kingdom would later become Lotharingia. Charles, the youngest became the King of Provence. This kingdom would later evolve into Burgundy's second kingdom.

Treaty of Meerssen

Aug 8, 870

After the death of Lothar II, the rulers of West and East Francia, Lothar II's uncles Louis the German and Charles the Bald, divided Middle Francia to themselves.

Charles the Bald

Oct 6, 877

Charles II reign started peacefully but was shattered when hhis sibling Louis invaded Bavaria. Charles had to escape to Burgundy. Charles was also having problems how to evade and stop invaders in the north of gaul and in Aquitaine. Charles died of illness on his trip to return to Italy in order to help Pope John VIII stop Saracen invaders.

Charles the Fat

Jan 13, 888

Upon his father Louis of Bavaria died, Charles the Fat inherited a portion of Alemannia. When his borther was stroked, Charles succeded the throne of Italy. He then was crowned as the Emperor of Rome in 881 and succeeded his borther Louis the Younger just a year later. Charles the Fat also inherited the rest of West Francia when Carolman II, his cousin died. The Carolingian empire was reunited for a short time from 881 up to his death in 888.

Louis the Child and the End of the Carolingian Empire

Sep 24, 911

Louis was the only legitimate son of the then Emperor Arnulf and his wife Ota. He was crowned the emperor of Rome on February 4, 900 in Forchheim. Louis was often sick and with his young age depended on his advisers - the nobles and the bishop. His army was defeated by the Magyars in 907 in Ennsburg. Louis died in a state of despire in 911 at a very young age of 18, ending the Carolingian dynasty and entire Frankish empire .