5 Questions
What was the role of monasteries during the Middle Ages?
They provided hospitality to refugees and travelers, and preserved ancient texts.
Which of the following best describes the structure of the medieval Roman Catholic Church?
It was modeled after the structure of the ancient Roman government.
What was the role of the pope in the medieval Roman Catholic Church?
The pope was the spiritual and political leader of the Church.
What was the role of cardinals in the medieval Roman Catholic Church hierarchy?
They were appointed by the pope and served as his advisors and administrators.
During the Middle Ages, which of the following statements about the Roman Catholic Church is true?
It played a vital role in society and provided leadership during times of instability.
Study Notes
Carolingian Empire
- Charlemagne initiated the Saxon Wars in 772, which lasted until 804, and led to the conquest of pagan Saxony.
- Charlemagne was crowned as Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800.
Partition and Decline
- In 817, Louis selected Lothar I as his heir and co-emperor, granting his other sons control over subordinate regions.
- Decentralization of the Carolingian Empire led to increased authority for local governments and lords, supporting the development of European feudalism and weakening the imperial throne.
The Split of Carolingian Empire
- The Carolingian Empire, led by Charlemagne, split into three parts: East Francia, Middle Francia, and West Francia, allocated to the sons of Louis the Pious.
- This split marked the beginning of the end for the empire.
Carolingian Dynasty
- Key figures in the Carolingian dynasty include:
- Louis IV (born 893, died 911)
- Saint Arnulf of Metz (born c. 580, died 640)
- Charles I (or II) (born 1365, died 1431)
- Arnulf of Carinthia (died 899)
- Grimoald (died 656, Paris)
- Pippin II (died 714, Jupille, near Liège)
- Pippin (born 777, died 810, Milan)
- Pippin III (born c. 714, died 768, Saint-Denis, Neustria)
- Berengar (died 924, son of Eberhard, Frankish margrave of Friuli)
Rise of the Carolingians
- By the end of 718, Charles Martel united the various regions of Francia under his sole mayoral authority.
- Charles Martel refused to install a new monarch after the death of the Merovingian king Theuderic IV in 737, effectively ruling over Francia himself until his death.
Charlemagne
- Charlemagne developed the Frankish kingdom into a prosperous Western and Central European empire by expanding his influence on all territorial fronts through conquest.
- Charlemagne reigned as King of the Franks (r. 768-814) and as Holy Roman Emperor (r. 800-814) following his coronation by Pope Leo III.
The Roman Catholic Church
- Initially, the Romans persecuted Christians for their beliefs, but in 313 C.E., the Roman emperor Constantine issued a decree allowing Christians to practice their religion freely.
- In 395 C.E., Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
- During the Middle Ages, the Church played a vital role in society, providing leadership, organizing the distribution of food, and preserving old texts.
- The Church hierarchy was organized with a system of ranked clergy, including:
- Pope – the spiritual and political leader of the church
- Cardinals – appointed by the pope and serving as advisors to the Pope; administrators of the Church
Test your knowledge on Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor, and the Carolingian Empire. This quiz covers topics such as the Saxon Wars, alliance with Pope Leo III, and the crowning as Roman Emperor.
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