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The importance of religion in the middle ages
The role of religion in the Middle Ages
Religion in the middle ages
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The Relationship of Political and Religious Societies in the Age of Charlemagne, Based of Einhard's The life of Charlemagne sections 15-33
Matt Diggs III
"He was especially concerned that everything in the church be carried out with the greatest possible dignity."
Einhard, in his The Life of Charlemagne, makes clear the fundamental integration of politics and religion during the reign of his king. Throughout his life, Charles the Great endeavored to acquire and use religious power to his desired ends. But, if Charlemagne was the premiere monarch of the western world, why was religious sanction and influence necessary
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Indeed, Charles saved most of Italy from Muslim piracy. When Rome became one with Carolingian empire, he "Defended and made it beautiful (page 285)." With potentially hostile forces to the east, such as the Byzantine and Islamic empires, Rome found much to gain from Charles' friendship.
Another example of the benefits of the papal-frankish relationship may be found in Charles' reformation of his parishes. To quote Einhard, "His chief concern was for the churches. Whenever he discovered one in his kingdom that was old and ready to collapse he charged the responsible bishops and priests with restoring it (page 285)." This, in addition to the masterpiece of Aachen, helped strengthen the Christian resolve in his empire, while furthering his goals of beautification.
One of the chief concerns for Charlemagne, as evidenced by Pepin's and Germania's betrayals, must have been protecting the kingship from usurpation while he was fighting one of his many foreign wars. The Roman church would have certainly provided a degree of security in this respect, as they were fully integrated with Frankish royalty and society, and had much to lose in the event of Charlemagne's deposition. The institution of the church also provided a reasonable punishment for Pepin, as his monastic prison was an excellent
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When Hadrian's successor was maimed and presumably ousted by other Roman powers, Charles the Great marched to the city and restored order. Additionally, he spent an entire winter in the restoration of the church's former importance. In gratitude, the pope crowned Charlemagne "Emperor and Augustus,(page 290)" a title with such power that it is difficult to believe Einhard's depiction of the king's reluctance to accept. Given the potential loss to Charles had the church fallen, the concept of his dramatic action is not difficult to fathom. With the titles won from his assistance, he gained an even greater authority over the western world, as well as the ability to goad the Eastern Roman emperors. And while he "concluded a firm treaty with them (page 284)," to give assurance of his good will, his position from which to bargain was greatly enhanced by his new title.
The new crown also granted Charlemagne the power to change the names of the months, commit to paper the pagan songs of his kingdom without papal suspicion and attempt to reform the Frankish legal code. In his elder years, it also allowed him to personally crown his son and successor Louis without the need for papal consent. This power he was also able to will, as Louis received the title of Augustus from his
The collection Two Lives of Charlemagne contains two different biographies of Charlemagne who was a king of the Franks and a christian emperor of the West in the 8th century. The first biographical account was written by his courtier Einhard who knew him personally and well. On the other hand, the second account was penned by Notker the Stammerer was born twenty-five years after the king’s death. Even though these two versions indicate the same king’s life, there were many differences between the two. Einhard’s writing focused on the emperor’s official life and his military campaign. However, Notker provided more of a perspective about the king’s legacy and seemed more hyperbolic as well as mythical. This paper will compare and contrast the
Charlemagne is a known for his success to try to maintain his empire. This new empire will embrace the unity of Christian faith. Under Charlemagne, new lands are conquered and a Renaissance is embraced. He even tries to revive the Christian faith. Charlemagne is a man that hopes to be an inspiration to the next generation. These deeds of Charlemagne is seen in the Two Lives of Charlemagne. In the Two lives of Charlemagne, both Notker’s and Einhard’s goal is to portray Charlemagne as a man of good character, a man that accomplishes many deeds and a man that hopes to provide an outlet for the next generation.
After contemplating Einhard’s purpose for writing The Life of Charlemagne it is important to examine his qualifications for doing so. Early on in the introduction there is a brief history on Einhard and his education.
The most famous work about Charlemagne is a book entitled The Two Lives of Charlemagne which consists of two separate biographies published into one book and tells the story of Charlemagne's life as two different people experienced it. Apart from this, there are many other places you can turn to learn more about the life of the king of the Franks, including letters, capitularies, inventories, annals, and more. However, each of these sources seem to paint a different picture of Charlemagne. In one, he seems to be a very average guy; in another, a mythical being, almost god-like; and a strong and firm political leader in yet another. It is because of this of this that we will never really know exactly who Charlemagne was or what he was like, but we do have an idea of what he did and how he lived thanks to those who decided to preserve it.
The reason Einhard wrote his biography of Charlemagne was to explain to the world how this man, who was also his personal friend, was a great leader. Einhard begins by telling some history of Charlemagne’s family and ancestry. Einhard then goes on to tell about every war Charlemagne was ever involved in. Einhard’s main reason for writing this description of Charlemagne’s reign is just to inform people of what he believe to be the reign of the greatest ruler of all time. He seemed proud to have lived at the same time as Charlemagne. He thought Charlemagne made no mistakes in the wars he was involved with. Einhard was proud of what Charlemagne did for the churches at the time of his reign. “Whenever he discovered one in his kingdom that was old and ready to collapse he charged the responsible bishops and priests with restor...
The two lives of Charlemagne as told by Einhard and Notker are two medieval sources about the accounts of the life Charlemagne. Modern sources by Matthew Innes and Rosamond Mckitterick discuss how history was recorded during the medieval period and how it was suppose to be viewed in the early ages. Observing each of these sources helps get an understanding of how the writing of history is important in recorded history and how it affected how the history of Charlemagne was recorded.
...become great and victorious. There is the concept of how everything that Charlemagne did was for his enemies to be converted to Christianity and nothing else. Through the different interpretations, the argument for religious motives was the strongest. Charlemagne used military tactics in a misguided attempt to further the kingdom of God.
Charlemagne Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, became the undisputed ruler of Western Europe, “By the sword and the cross.” (Compton’s 346) As Western Europe was deteriorating Charlemagne was crowned the privilege of being joint king of the Franks in 768 A.D. People of Western Europe, excluding the church followers, had all but forgotten the great gifts of education and arts that they had possessed at one time. Charlemagne solidly defeated barbarians and kings in identical fashion during his reign. Using the re-establishment of education and order, Charlemagne was able to save many political rights and restore culture in Western Europe.
Charlemagne also known as Charles the Great, created a legacy that is greatly honored still to this day. He is seen as one of the greatest conquerors ever because of territories he conquered, the diversity he created, and the building of one of the greatest empires known to mankind. Since the fall of Rome, most of the continent of Europe has not been ruled by someone, until Charlemagne came along. Charlemagne was the founder of the Holy Roman Empire and was the one person to practically lead Europe out of the Dark Ages.
Any woman that is a relative of Charlemagne is regarded highly by Einhard. Charlemagne’s mother, sister and daughters are written about with the highest respect. They are portrayed as honorable, calm women who never caused any trouble. Charlemagne’s Bertrada, despite being a woman, was highly active in politics. Bertrada seemed to favor Charlemagne over her son other son Carloman. Her diplomatic skills may have helped Charlemagne’s success in his early years. She even arranged a marriage with Desiderius’ daughter, Desiderata, to secure an alliance with Lombardy. Even though her influenced may have diminished over the years her relationship with her son remained excellent. She lived with Charlemagne in court. The only time their relationship became strained was when Bertrada suggested to Charlemagne to marry Desiderate. When Charles sent Desiderata back to Lombardy, Bertrada was not pleased with her son. But this did not stop her from having a loving relationship with her son. Einhard writes: “Bertrada, also spent her old age in great honor with him. He treated her with the greatest respect, to the point that there was never any trouble between them [.]” Bertrada continued to live with Charlemagne until she died in 783. Charlemagne ensured that his mother was buried alongside her husband at St. Denis Basilica. Einhard also makes mention to Charlemagne’s sister. Gisela. Gisela was intended to marry the heir of the Byzantium Empire however she dedicated herself to the religious life. She served as an abbess at the convent at Chelles. Charlemagne is said to have “treated her with the greatest affection.” Charlemagne even had one of his daughters named after his sister.
He was fluent in Greek, Latin and was an excellent orator. Charlemagne knowing about the importance of Education, made sure his children learned a variety of important subjects like liberal arts that were essential then. Einhard describes Charles as a religious man who “cherished the Church of St. Peter above all other Holy and sacred places. ” One of the reasons –described by Einhard- why Charles was a great Emperor, was that he did not see the Pope’s power and authority as a threat to his ruler ship. Einhard’s purpose for writing this document was to exalt his friend and king, Charlemagne the great emperor even though he might have done this mainly on facts and romantic notions about Charlemagne. This document is very significant because it provides us a primary source about Charlemagne and his life. Even though Einhard used most of his personal experience with Charlemagne to write this document, he still consulted the Royal Frankish Annals for opinion about the
He ordered the forced conversion of Saxons to Christian practices. He promoted Christianity in his own kingdom, and intervened in Rome as well. He offered protection against the Lombards, and gave assistance to the pope when he was attacked by rivals. For this, he was crowned emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III (Sivers, Desnoyers, & Stow, p 314). This announced the independence of western Europe from the Byzantine East, and a shift of power away from the Mediterranean and toward Europe. It also gave Charlemagne more
Before analyzing the subject, Charlemagne, we must first look into the man who written about the interesting figure. With Two Lives of Charlemagne, Einhard is one of the writers involved in the biography of Charlemagne. As the introduction is written, Einhard’s life is marginal documented. Probably not being an “important figure”, Einhard’s life, possibly didn’t matter in comparison to leaders like Charlemagne. The things that
Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was a Medieval Emperor that ruled over Western Europe from 768 to 814. Charlemagne was born around 742 and was the son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon. Pepin the Short was the ruler of the Franks from 751 until his death in 768. After the death of Pepin the Short, Charlemagne and his brother, Carloman I, became the rulers of the Franconians. The death of Carloman I in 771 allowed Charlemagne to become the sole leader of the Franks. Once becoming the leader of the Franks, Charlemagne wanted to unite the Germanic people into one kingdom and convert them to Christianity. He ordered anyone who did not follow Christian traditions be put to death. Charlemagne united
Most people have heard the timeless adage “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” This sentiment applies perfectly when describing the relationship between Charles the Great’s Carolingian Dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate in the eighth century CE. These two expanding empires faced mutual enemies in both the Ummayad Caliphate as well as the Byzantine Empire. The Ummayad Caliphate had been disrupting Charlemagne’s empire from Spain; this eventually led to the creation of the Spanish March, a buffer zone intended to control his Muslim enemies. This caliphate also was naturally against the Abbasid Caliphate, as the two different groups each sought to be the dominant Caliphate in the Muslim world. Additionally, the Byzantines under Empress Irene inhibited