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The influence of Christianity in the middle ages
Christianity in the Middle Ages
Effects that Christianity had on Europe during the Medieval Period
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Feudal Europe was a time of disunity. Constant fighting and a decentralized government led to the sought of protection. Charlemagne, the leader of the Frankish army, gained power, and conquered new territory, while forcely spreading religion and thus created the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire had great impact upon the world today. Charlemagne influenced the end of Feudal times and conditions in Europe by the spread of religion throughout Europe into new territory, the wars and campaigns fought for a bigger empire, and the restoring of a once lost education. Under the rule of Charlemagne, Europe became better and more powerful than it once was.
The Holy Roman Empire during Charlemagne’s time of leadership, was located in Feudal Europe,
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and was the key reason of the Empire's success. Charlemagne was one of the best rulers of Europe during this time (Nardo, 2012). He was the leader of the Frankish Army, and used his military expertise to fight and conquer more land for a bigger empire. He fought for territory of the majority of Europe. Charlemagne gained a large amount of Europe, including Germany, the Netherlands, parts of East France and North Italy, the Empire took over a large portion of Western Europe (Encyclopedia, 2017). Charlemagne managed to expand the Empire in most of Europe, and he managed land past the Pyrenees mountains that was located in Spain (Frassetto, 2017). With his military expertise, Charlemagne was able to conquer much land for his Empire, but as much land as he conquered there were parts of Europe he couldn’t conquer and control. Charlemagne's territory took over the western side of Europe, but he didn’t control the Balkans, the South part of Italy or the British Isles (Nardo, 2012). One of his most famous campaigns and fight for land to extend his empire, was the conquest for the Kingdom of Lombard located in Italy (Frassetto, 2013). After conquering the land of Lombards in Italy, he had taken control of all territory that used to be part of the old Roman Empire and then became part of the Holy Roman Empire (Frassetto, 2013). The Holy Roman Empires location was the key to the success of the Empire and Charlemagne was able to accomplish many achievements based on the power he had over the land. Charlemagne came to power in the time of a decentralized government during feudal times. When his father died, Charlemagne and his brother both got portions of the divided land of the Frankish Empire (History World, 2017). After his brother’s death, Charlemagne took over the total rule of the empire (History,2017). Charlemagne was crowned in 768-771, and became the official king of the Franks (Nardo, 2012).Europe was in its time of feudalism and Charlemagne helped revive once lost history and restore a central government. Charlemagne's rule over the Western World made him a figure image for people to look up to in Europe during this time (Frassetto, 2013). Charlemagne helped the Empire rise by launching campaigns to extend his land and create a bigger Empire (Nardo,2012). He was a great ruler and was able to maintain loyalty and the trust of people among his Empire (Nardo, 2012). Charlemagne used his heavy belief of religion to control his Empire and a strong portion of his rule over the Holy Roman Empire was dedicated to the spread of Christianity (Nardo, 2012). When it came to the rule of his Empire, Charlemagne used his great military expertise to forcefully rise and further extend his territory. Charlemagne was very religious, and he used religion as a key to controlling his empire. Charlemagne grew up religious and religion was a big part of his life and Christianity was special to him (Nardo, 2012). He spread Christianity by force, and used the method convert or die. Charlemagne sought to give power to the church and strengthen the religion he grew up practicing, while also promising the church his protection(Christianitytoday, 2017). After recognizing the power that Charlemagne held and his great support of the church, Pope Leo II decided to crown him king on December 25th (Encyclopedia, 2017). When Charlemagne was crowned ruler, he made a promise to defend the church from anyone daring enough to fight the religion(Encyclopedia, 2017). While in rule, he gave conquered land and money to the church so the church could stay powerful and Charlemagne promised to defend and protect the Popes of the church (leonardo-newtonic, 2017). During this time, education was set aside and when Charlemagne came to rule, he valued education and made sure to connect the church and religion to education , and people who could not afford to go to a school and wanted to learn were able to go to church for an education(History-world, 2017). In 772-804, Charlemagne was able to fight the Saxons and after winning the campaign he forcefully made them convert their religion to christianity or they would be executed (History, 2017). Charlemagne made sure that his values of the Christian religion were seen amongst the Holy Roman Empire and was forcefully assigned the religion of the empire. Feudal Europe was a giant step back from the people’s advancement of education and everything was lost.
When Charlemagne rose to power, he strongly valued education and religion, and was able to revive education by the creation of schools. Charlemagne grew up uneducated and when he came to power he also wanted an education for himself. He made an effort when he became king, to learn some of the Latin, Greek and even Frankish language, but even with his determination and dedication to learn, he still couldn’t write and had to assign a job for someone to be his personal writer (historyinthemargins, 2017). During Charlemagne’s time as king, he promoted and encouraged Latin to be the language spoken and written by people in Europe and people who were part of the Holy Roman Empire (leonardo-newtonic, 2017). Charlemagne's value of education created the Carolingian Culture. The goal for the Carolingian culture was for Charlemagne to be a more valued and respected figure of authority as he was the protector of the church and brought the value of education (Encyclopedia, 2017). In the Carolingian culture, for a clearer writing and a more efficient way of saving space writing, the style of Carolingian minuscule was created (leonardo-newtonic, 2017). Charlemagne made sure he had a well educated clergy during this time, so that they would be able run the government of his empire and be prosperous (Encyclopedia, 2017). His clergy that he had in government also were to support his educational values and help form schools to give people among the empire, a proper education (historyinthemargins, 2017). During Charlemagne's time in rule, he restored lost education and helped spread the value of learning around his
empire. Being king of the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne’s goal was to extend the boundaries of his empire and spread religion (Britannica, 2017). In order for him to extend his empire, Charlemagne would have to conquer more territory, and in order to do so there would have to be fighting and battles. Charlemagne was known as a military expert for his campaigns and battles. One of Charlemagne’s most well known military battles is against the Saxons, and it lasted for longer than 30 years, the campaign happened from 772-804 (Britannica, 2017). Charlemagne and his forces were able to invade Saxony after numerous campaigns and spread the religion of his empire into the newly conquered land (bbc.co.uk, 2017). During the first few years of his rule, Pope Adrian I requested for Charlemagne to take over the North parts of Italy (historyworld, 2017). The battle of Lombards became one of Charlemagne’s most known campaigns (bbc.co.uk, 2017). When Charlemagne fought to invade Lombards, he had to try a couple times, once in 773 and another in 774, and when Charlemagne finally conquered Lombards, he gained lots of territory for his empire, and there was a large extension to his area of controlled land (historyworld, 2017). Charlemagne led the Franks into a few battles in Spain, they had an alliance with the Muslims and fought Emir of Cordoba, because Cordoba was seen as a danger to the Franks land (historyguy, 2017). The Franks continued to fight Spain until they surrendered and gave up in 778 (historyguy, 2017). Charlemagne was known for his great military expertise and his strategic ways of campaigning, and because he was an expert at fighting, he was able to extend his empire greatly. Charlemagne came to rule in a time of a feudalism, and there was a decentralized government in Europe. He came to rule and was crowned king because of how well he got his work done and when he was given the crown, he was destined to have to control and manage a great population of people that was increasing (britannica, 2017). Charlemagne’s empire was hard to manage because of the diversities of ethics and linguistics of different people (Britannica, 2017). The power went to the king himself, and anyone who did not follow his orders were given punishment for not being obedient towards the king (Britannica, 2017). Making better political institutions were one of Charlemagne’s main focus as a king (Britannica, 2017). Since Charlemagne was big on family and his close friends, his palatium, he depended on them to help him make important decisions among the empire (Britannica, 2017). He had a large empire and he was still expanding, and he couldn’t control the empire all by himself so his family helped him make commands. While his family helped make decisions, Charlemagne focused much of his time on military campaigns and adding documents of rules and laws for people to follow in order to control his empire (Britannica, 2017). Charlemagne didn’t just depend on his palatium to help him run his empire and make sure it was at peace, but he also depended on royal officials, to create and raise military, and collect taxes around the empire (Britannica, 2017). Charlemagne’s reliance on other people allowed him to control a large empire and keep order among the people in it. When Charlemagne came to rule over the Holy Roman Empire, he helped Feudal Europe go through a time of disunity and constant fighting. His ruling over the empire had great impact on the world today. Without Charlemagne, education would have been lost, there would have been a wide spread of different religions leading to future conflict, and Europe would have remained decentralized and stayed in a Feudal time period. Charlemagne prevented all of these from happening when he came to rule, he accomplished new goals and restored old learnings. The modern world would have been greatly affected without the ruling of Charlemagne over the Holy Roman Empire and what we value and know today would have been different.
Throughout his essay, Einhard makes constant references to Charlemagne’s piety. He notes that the king “cherished with great fervor and devotion the principles of the Christian religion.” Charlemagne built the basilica at Aix-la-Chapelle, and “was a constant worshipper at this church.” (Einhard, 48)…. He embodied the Christian doctrine to give to the poor, and had close relationships to the popes in Rome. A pessimist might find reason to believe these actions were purely opportunistic or at least had mixed motives—his relationships with the Vatican were monetarily beneficial—but Einhard’s inclusion of Charlemagne’s will removes all doubt. “In this division he is especially desirous to provide…the largess of alms which Christians usually make.” (Einhard, 52). In death, Charlemagne gave much of his wealth to the Church via the archbishops of each city in his empire, and further stipulated that upon the death of one of them, a portion of the remaining inheritance should go directly to the poor, as should the profit of the sale of his library.
The two most popular primary sources available are going to be the works published in The Two Lives of Charlemagne: The Life of Charlemagne written by Einhard and The Deeds of Charlemagne written by Notker the Stammerer. In addition to these The Capitulary of Charlemagne is also available and helps to provide a more political background to Charlemagne. You can also go a bit more in depth to find some primary sources that are not as obvious. The two that I found most interesting being Asnapium: An Inventory of One of Charlemagne's Estates, which provides us with information about the way Charlemagne may have lived and allow us to glimpse what life was like for Charlemagne (even down to what things were growing in his garden!), and De Litteris Colendis: a letter from Charlemagne to Baugaulf of Fulda which shows us Charlemagne's true concern with education in his empire.
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 to achieve his goals? In an age when military power was the primary means of expanding one's empire, why did the most powerful military force in Europe go to such great lengths to ensure a benevolent relationship with the church? One possibility may be found in the tremendous social and political influence of Rome and her papacy upon the whole of the continent. Rather than a force to be opposed, Charlemagne viewed the church as a potential source of political power to be gained through negotiation and alliance. The relationship was one of great symbiosis, and both componants not only survived but prospered to eventually dominate western Europe. For the King of the Franks, the church provided the means to accomplish the expansion and reformation of his empire. For the Holy Roman Church, Charles provided protection from invaders and new possibilities for missionary work.
...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’s reign before his death was also an important event in the shaping of Europe. Charlemagne (768 -814) also known as “Charles the Great” would raid Italy and capture the Lombard crown adding Northern Italy in 774. He would fight the Saxon’s for over thirty years expanding his territory along the way. The emperor would aggressively convert foreigners after conquering their territory into Christianity. By 800, he extended his territory into the Western and Central regions of Europe. The Carolingian King would create institutions that would mirror the old Roman Empire and set up districts under an appointed authority called a “count” similar to a modern governor.
Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was the king of the franks. He was highly influenced by Constantine and his christian empire. Charlemagne supported christian art and commissioned the contraction of a palace and chapel in Germany, which severed as the center of his power. His time was known as the Carolingian Renaissance, where he revived many imperial roman traditions such as the early Christian tradition of depicting Christ as a statuesque youth. In his time marvelous illuminated manuscripts. After the rule of Charlemagne, as Carolingian art began to subside, entered the new ruler Otto III. Otto III was both influenced by Constantine and Charlemagne. Ottonian art focused on geometry, ivory plaques, and small artwork as well as elegantly illuminated manuscripts, lavish metal work, intricate carvings and Romanesque churches and cathedrals. Both Ottonian and Carolingian architecture mainly focused on geometrical shapes when constructing their churches and cathedrals. Unlike Charlemagne, Ottonian’s created a lot of metal work mainly in the form of manuscripts as a cover for books.The influence of Early Christianity reflected on both rulers through its art portraying stories from their christian belief’s.
The rise of power for Charlemagne was initially a hereditary right, but he used that as a stepping stone to become the most well-known king of all time. The story really begins with the father of Charles, Pepin. The position of mayor of the palace was given to both Pepin and his brother Carloman, who worked together in “splendid harmony.” (137) But after a few years Carloman decided to join the monks and lead a monastery life leaving only Pepin to be the mayor of the palace. Then Pope Zacharias decided that the mayor of the palace, Pepin, deserved to be King due to his influence among his people. While king, he waged war against Waifar, duke of Aquitaine, and this lasted for nine years, by the end of while Pepin died. This left the kingdom to be equally divided among both Charles and Carloman. Charles took up the kingdom of his father, while Carloman took the kingdom of his uncle. There was a lot o...
“The apprenticeship of a King” describes how Charlemagne gained power through conquest and diplomacy. In 768, King Pippin died and his kingdom was divided between his two sons. Charles, the elder, and the younger was Carloman. The author says that little is known of Charles’ boyhood. When he was of the right age, it is recorded that he worked eagerly at riding and hunting. It was the custom of the Franks to ride and be practiced in the use of arms and ways of hunting. We may reasonably infer that acquiring these skills formed a major part of his early education. Charles was not a “man of letters” and the author makes no attempt at explaining this other than to point out that literacy was considered unimportant at that time for anyone other than the clergy and Charles didn’t become interested in “letters” until later in life. Bullough explains a number of experiences in public duties and responsibilities, which were assigned to Charles by his father, thus, giving him an apprenticeship to rule the kingdom. For some reason tension between Charles and his brother began shortly after their accession. The author explains a number of conflicts. The younger brother died however, at the end of 771 and a number of prominent people in his kingdom offered allegiance to Charles. Bullough names and explains those subjects. The result was the re-uniting of those territories, which helped to establish the kingdom of the Franks.
There were three heirs to the legacy of Rome that appeared after its fall. These heirs included Latin Christendom, Byzantium, and Islam. Latin Christendom lagged behind the other two, but eventually caught up. Modern Western societies trace their origin through Latin Christendom. During the Early Middle Ages, Christianity continued to spread throughout Europe. Furthermore, Merovingian King Clovis the First was the earliest Germanic ruler to convert to the Christian faith. Moreover, the Early Middle Ages saw the rise of Charlemagne as the ruler of the Franks. Charlemagne left a lasting legacy, and was instrumental in initiating the Carolingian Renaissance. The Carolingian Renaissance was an attempt to raise the standard of learning. Furthermore, the Franks had an alliance with the Papacy. During this era, there was a significant growth of Papal power. Consequently, as the Christian church increased in power it also increased its influence on society. Another religion emerged in the Middle East which affected Latin Christendom. The emergence of the new Islamic faith eventually caused tension with Latin Christendom that culminated in the Crusades. The Muslims invasion of France was repelled at the Battle of Tours by Charles Martel. The Muslims had even invaded sections of Byzantium. Issues s...
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.
Throughout the middle ages, many empires were working on expanding their territory, but it was not always a success unless they had the appropriate leadership to guide them in the right direction. The main empire that grew to extraordinary lengths is that of the Roman Empire. Through many conquests and battles and with an amicable government, it attained its fortune. However, on the other hand, there was another government that shared similarities with that of Rome; this was the empire of Charlemagne, otherwise known as the Carolingian Empire, but it failed to have a prosperous eternity.
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.
Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, reigned during a time of much turmoil and upheaval in Europe during middle ages. Charlemagne’s background and family history contributed much to his rise to power. The triumphs of his past lineage prepared him to take on the task of governing the Frankish Empire, and defending it from invaders. Charlemagne accomplished much during his supremacy. He not only brought education back into medieval Europe, but also invented an efficient way to govern his people. His conquests against the many adversaries of the Holy Roman Empire expanded his empire across the majority of Europe. His conquests also formed strong ties between the Catholic Church and the State. Charlemagne’s drive to convert Europe’s primitive and pagan tribes to Christianity nearly effaced the Saxons, whom he battled with for the majority of his reign. The crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor created a turning point in history. Within years after his death, however, his once great empire amounted to nothing. Charlemagne’s reign as King of the Franks and as Holy Roman Emperor greatly influenced the course of Europe during the middle ages.
Religion is among one of the aspects that defines culture. This was a key concept for those living in the Middle Ages, whose lives were dominated by religion. More specifically, those in high positions of the church dominated their lives because the church provided a unified culture, or belief system. In fact, in the Early Middle Ages, rulers needed the support of the church to legitimize their rule. This was the case for Charlemagne, who united much of Western Europe and converted his subjects to Christianity. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans in 800(History). “The assumption of the title of emperor of Charlemagne in
After Charlemagne's death, the Carolingian Empire was divided in three parts by the Treaty of Verdun in 834. This division weakened the Empire, many battles took place and it allowed the Viking's invasions from the north. It was around that time that the hereditary character of feudalism and the power of the fiefs, in...