Carolingian, << `KAR` uh LIHN jee uhn, >> Empire was a Frankish empire that united most of western Europe under one ruler in the late 700’s. The Carolingians were a family of Frankish kings who came to power in the mid-700’s. The most important Frankish rulers were Charles Martel, his son Pepin the Short, and Pepin’s son Charlemagne.
Charles Martel united the Frankish kingdom in the early 700’s, when he captured lands held by powerful Frankish lords. Pepin the Short strengthened the Carolingians’ control over the Frankish kingdom. In 768, Charlemagne became ruler of the kingdom. He then conquered much of western Europe, and united Europe for the first time since the end of the Roman Empire.
In creating their empire, the Frankish kings depended on the assistance of Frankish aristocrats who served as local officials called counts. A count was in charge of the judicial system in his county. He also maintained public order and mobilized men in times of war. Lesser officials called viscounts and centenarii were responsible to the count. Periodically, the king sent royal inspectors called missi to carry his orders to the districts and to report on local conditions. The inspections helped the king keep control of the distant parts of his realm and make sure that the counts acted honestly and efficiently.
The early Middle Ages reached their highest point of achievement during the long rule of Charlemagne. He worked to protect the church from its enemies and to keep the people of Europe united under the church. Although Charlemagne never learned to write, he did improve education. He established a school in his palace at Aachen, and teachers from throughout Europe gathered there. They organized schools and libraries, and copied ancient manuscripts. These activities caused a new interest in learning called the Carolingian Renaissance. See Carolingian art; Charlemagne.
Charlemagne’s empire and the revival of learning did not last long after his death. His three grandsons fought each other for the title of emperor. In 843, the Treaty of Verdun divided the empire into three parts, one for each grandson. Soon after, the divided empire was attacked by Magyars, Muslims, and Vikings. By the late 800’s, the Carolingian Empire no longer existed.
See also Charles Martel; Franks; Pepin the Short.
