Carolingian Dynasty
Pippinids
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Arnulfings
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Carolingians
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After the Treaty of Verdun (843)
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- Also see: France in the Middle Ages.
The Carolingian Dynasty (known variously as the Carlovingians or Karlings) was a dynasty of rulers who began as mayors of the palaces and eventually became kings of the Franks (751). It is perhaps most noteworthy as the dynasty which resurrected in fact the idea of an emperor in the West. The Carolingians succeeded the Merovingian Dynasty and continued to rule in some kingdoms until 987. The name Carolingian itself comes from Charles Martel (from the Latin Carolus Martellus), who defeated the Moors at the Battle of Tours in 732. The dynasty's most prominent member is Charlemagne, or Charles the Great (in Latin, Carolus Magnus), who was crowned emperor in 800. The last Carolingian emperor died in 899 before the title had been in the family for a century. The Carolingian downfall was faster than its rise.
The dynasty is usually considered to have been founded by Saint Arnulf, bishop of Metz in the early seventh century, who wielded a great deal of power and influence in the Merovingian kingdoms. His son Ansegisel married Saint Begga, the daughter of Pepin of Landen, and their son was Pepin of Heristal. It is from Pepin's grandfathers that the dynasty receives its earlier (pre-Martel) names: Arnulfing or Pippinid. The mayorlty of the palace of the kingdom of Austrasia began in the family with Ansegisel and continued with Pepin of Heristal. Pepin conquered Neustria at the Battle of Tertry in 687 and spread Arnulfing authority over all the Franks. Pepin was succeeded by his son, Charles Martel, as mayor, who in turn was the father of Pepin the Short. By this time the Merovingian rois fainéants (do-nothing kings) had no power which the mayors had not already taken in the preceding century of minorities, regencies, and civil wars. Pepin was crowned king in 751 with the support of the leading Frankish nobles and Pope Zachary, after the last Merovingian king, Childeric III was deposed, tonsured, and put up in a monastery. Charlemagne, Pepin's son, became king of the Franks in 768 and was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in 800. His son, Louis the Pious, was his sole successor, but upon Louis death and the end of his unrestful reign followed three years of civil war between his sons: Lothair, Louis the German, and Charles the Bald.
After the division of the empire between the three grandsons of Charlemagne with the Treaty of Verdun in 843, the Carolingians initially continued to hold the throne in all three sections that were created: West Francia, Middle Francia, and East Francia.
- In the West, which was the nucleus of later France, they continued to be the ruling dynasty until the Capetians, perhaps descendants on the spindle side of Louis the Pious, ascended the throne in 987.
- In the Middle, with the empty title of Emperor and that which would be the kingdoms of Lotharingia and Provence, as well as the Iron Crown of Lombardy (Italy), the major branch of the family ruled till 875, but further division occurred with the Treaty of Mersen in 870.
- In the East, the kernel of later Germany and the Holy Roman Empire, the Carolingians ruled until 911, the death of Louis the Child. Here, the dukes of the stem duchies eventually acclaimed a Saxon dynasty, commonly referred to as the Ottonians, who consciously modelled themselves as Carolingian successors.
See also
- Franks (main history of Frankish empire)
- List of Frankish Kings
- List of French monarchs
- List of German monarchs
- List of Holy Roman Emperors
- Kings of France family tree
- Carolingian minuscule
- Carolingian Renaissance
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