FRANCIA MEDIEVAL 2: Carlomagno y el Imperio Carolingio (Documental Historia francos resumen)

The Rise of the Carolingians and Charlemagne's Empire

Pippin the Brief and the Establishment of the Carolingian Dynasty

• The story unfolds between 751 and 814, focusing on Pippin the Brief, who became king of the Franks after expelling the last Merovingian king in 751, marking the start of the Carolingian dynasty.

• Pope Stephen II sought help from Emperor Constantine V against Lombard advances but turned to Pippin when relations with Byzantium soured.

• In 756, Pippin's forces defeated Astolfo's Lombards, claiming territories for the papacy and establishing a strong alliance between Frankish kings and Popes.

Charlemagne's Ascendancy

• After Pippin’s death in 768, his kingdom was divided between his sons Carloman and Charles I (Charlemagne), who had a contentious relationship.

• Following Carloman's death in 771, Charlemagne ruled alone for nearly 50 years, consolidating power amidst familial strife.

Conflicts with Lombards and Expansion into Italy

• Charlemagne faced opposition from Desiderio, King of Lombardy, whose family connections to Carloman led to hostilities; he besieged Pavia in retaliation.

• By 774, Charlemagne controlled half of Italy and was named protector of Papal States, enhancing his legitimacy as a ruler committed to expanding Christianity.

Cultural Contributions and Education Reforms

• Married Hildegarda and fathered multiple children while promoting education through founding Palatine School with scholars like Einhard and Alcuin of York.

• Alcuin’s Bible played a crucial role in standardizing calligraphy across Charlemagne’s empire; his sons were assigned various regional powers.

Campaign Against Saxons and Muslim Ambassadors

• Charlemagne aimed to conquer Saxony but faced fierce resistance from pagan tribes; he destroyed their sacred Irminsul tree during campaigns that lasted decades.

• Muslim ambassadors sought Frankish aid against Abderramán I; however, upon arrival at Zaragoza, they were denied entry leading to failed siege attempts.

The Battle of Roncesvalles

• During retreat from Hispania after failing to capture Zaragoza, Charlemagne’s forces were ambushed by Basques at Roncesvalles (778), resulting in General Roldán's death.

• This defeat inspired "El Cantar de Roldán," an epic poem reflecting on heroism; subsequent conflicts saw further losses until Saxon leaders began converting to Christianity.

Continued Military Campaigns

Charlemagne's Reign and the Rise of Feudalism

Betrayal and Establishment of Aachen

• Tasilón III betrays Charlemagne, leading to his imprisonment for life. This act signifies a shift in power dynamics.

• Charlemagne establishes Aachen as his new capital, likening it to Rome and Constantinople, emphasizing its strategic location at the borders of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Architectural Marvels of Aachen

• The palace in Aachen features a grand audience hall and an octagonal palatine chapel styled after Roman-Byzantine architecture.

• Surrounding gardens and thermal spas reflect Charlemagne's love for leisure; he often enjoyed these spaces with companions.

Governance Structure Under Charlemagne

• The administration was rudimentary; key figures included the Count Palatino, Camerarius, Chamberlain, Archicapellán, and Chancellor who managed various aspects of governance.

• Territories were divided into counties governed by earls; dukes managed multiple counties while marquises oversaw border regions requiring military presence.

Role of Missi Dominici

• The Missi Dominici served as royal inspectors ensuring the king’s will was executed across provinces; they represented a crucial link between the monarch and local governance.

Nobility Relations and Economic Changes

• Nobles swore allegiance to Charlemagne but ruled non-hereditary territories; this created a system of mutual dependence with their subjects.

• A new currency emerged—the silver Carolingian pound—facilitating trade amidst a lack of permanent military forces.

Charlemagne's Military Campaigns

Conquests Against External Threats

• Despite lacking a strong naval fleet—a critical oversight against Viking threats—Charlemagne promoted cavalry within his military structure.

Expansion into Hispania

• Pepin, Charlemagne’s son, led campaigns against the Kaganate of the Avars in 796, resulting in significant plunder for the Franks.

Consolidation in Hispania

• Another son, Luis, conquered Gerona and Barcelona by 801 establishing defensive frontiers known as Limes Hispanicus against Muslim incursions.

The Papacy and Crowning of Charlemagne

Pope Leo III's Restoration

• After Pope Leo III escaped captivity from Roman nobles, he sought assistance from Charlemagne to restore order in Rome.

Coronation as Emperor

• On December 25th, 800 AD during Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Charlemagne is crowned "Emperor of the Romans," marking him as a pivotal figure in Western Christianity.

Tensions with Byzantine Empire