missbrunette687
New member
In spite of the biographical nature of Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne, a lot can be learned about the key aspects of Frankish society. During the 8th and 9th centuries, the Franks came to dominate the European continent on the heels of imperial disintegration. In assessing the methodology by which the Franks were able to achieve such power, three things must be taken into consideration: The basis of political authority, the importance of family and family relationships and values and personal qualities, which were esteemed. Through the biography of Charlemagne, thought by many to be the greatest ruler of the Frankish Empire, we are able to learn a great deal about these aspects of Frankish society. Since Einhard, Charlemagne’s biographer was a meraber of Charlemagne’s court, much of what is learned about Frankish society is in reference to Charlemagne’s relations with the different of society.
Political authority played a significant role in the rise of the Frankish Empire. Charlemagne’s role as the political leader of the empire is one of the key factors of the success of the . The basis for Charlemagne’s power was in essence his double royal authority; not only was he the king of the Frankish Empire, but he was also crowned, Emperor of Rome. Before Charlemagne and his father, Pepin’s, reigns, basis of political authority did not lie with the king. Einhard writes, "It had really lost all power years before and it no longer possessed anything at all of importance beyond the empty title of king. The wealth and the power of the kingdom were held tight in the hanRAB of certain leading officials of the court, who were called the mayors of the palace…The king possesses nothing at all of his own, except a single estate with an extremely small revenue" (Einhard, 55). It was Pepin, Charlemagne’s father who set the precedent for the shift in political authority. Starting out as a Mayor of the Palace, which was a title granted by the people to someone who outshone all others by the extent of their wealth and family distinction, Pepin inherited the title of King which he later passed on to his children, Charlemagne and Carloman (56).
The Frankish people had a lot to do with the of political authority. When the question of succession of Kingship between Charlemagne and Carloman arises, a general asserably is called. Similarly, when Carloman dies, Charlemagne cannot take control of Carloman’s empire without first having the consent of all Franks (58). In this way, the role of councils and general asserablies were vital to the political authority of Charlemagne. Often times, however, disagreements between the King and his councils caused rifts. The King was able to without the support of the council. Einhard writes, "…but in the most difficult circumstances, for certain of the Frankish leaders, whom Pepin the Short was accustomed to consult, were so supposed to his wishes that they openly announced their determination to desert their King and return home. Despite this Pepin declared war on King Haistulf and brought this war to a rapid completion" (60). Regardless of disagreements, the councils played an important role in the of political authority; the people were always consulted about matters of importance.
The papacy was another essential element of political authority in Frankish society. The relationships between rulers of the Frankish Empire and the popes have been…forged. Pepin forged a relationship with the papacy by coming to the aid of the Pope of Rome (57). In return, Pepin is made King. Charlemagne’s relationship with the papacy is an extension of his father’s relationship. He continues Pepin’s efforts to protect the papacy. In return, Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne emperor. As emperor of Rome, Charlemagne’s realm of political authority doubles. Charlemagne’s political authority not only lies in the secular world, but in the ecclesiastical world. He takes on the role of the "protector of the church." His new position allows him to do many things, including reforms in the church and the legal system of Frankish society. Einhard writes, "He made careful reforms in the way in which the psalms were chanted and the lessons read…Now that he was Emperor, he discovered that there were many defects in the legal system of his own people, for the Franks have two separate codes of law which differ from each other in many points…he committed to writing the laws of all the nations under his jurisdiction which still remained unrecorded (80-1).
Though there were many outside factors, which attributed to the basis of political authority, transfer of power was still hereditary. Family and relationships were decisive in the position, which a person gained. It was very rare that a person who was not of noble class achieved greatness, although Charlemagne did support meritocracy in his court. In the case of Charlemagne, family was of great importance, since it was his father, Pepin who as King was able to pave the way for Charlemagne to come to power. Charlemagne and his brother, Carloman became kings because of Divine right. Though family position did have its benefits. Many family relationships did create friction as well. For example, Carloman and Charlemagne jointly ruled the Frankish Empire. Einhard writes, "…each received half of the kingdom…This harmony continued between them, but with great difficulty, for many of the partisans of Carloman did their best to break up the alliance, to the point that certain of them even plotted to engage the two in warfare" (57). Before the Frankish empire had to deal with the rivalry, Carloman dies, and through election by the people, Charlemagne becomes the sole ruler of the Frankish empire. With a monarchy, the empire was stronger, more united. Even when it came to his own heirs, dividing the empire amongst all of his children, would weaken the empire. In fact, some of his children were indeed threats to the empire. Einhard writes, "…Pepin who was born to Charlemagne by a concubine…conspired with certain of the Frankish leaders who had won him over to their cause by pretending to offer him the kingship. The plot was discovered and the conspirators were duly punished. Pepin was tortured" (75). To prevent this from happening, Charlemagne kept his children very close to him. He devoted as much time to the upbringing of his daughters as he did to his sons (75). Marriage was another way by which family relations were formed. Often times, marriages were arranged to benefit families politically. In the case of Charlemagne’s first wife, he married the daughter of Desiderius, the King of the LongobarRAB, a rival, at the bidding of his mother (73). Marriage was a way to forge many political as well as diplomatic connections. Women were valuable political pawns, which is perhaps why none of Charlemagne’s daughters got married; their husband posed a threat to the throne.
Fighting was endemic; those who monopolized the wars also controlled society. Frankish was plagued with war after war. The warrior spirit was considered to be one of the most esteemed attributes of a Frank.
Political authority played a significant role in the rise of the Frankish Empire. Charlemagne’s role as the political leader of the empire is one of the key factors of the success of the . The basis for Charlemagne’s power was in essence his double royal authority; not only was he the king of the Frankish Empire, but he was also crowned, Emperor of Rome. Before Charlemagne and his father, Pepin’s, reigns, basis of political authority did not lie with the king. Einhard writes, "It had really lost all power years before and it no longer possessed anything at all of importance beyond the empty title of king. The wealth and the power of the kingdom were held tight in the hanRAB of certain leading officials of the court, who were called the mayors of the palace…The king possesses nothing at all of his own, except a single estate with an extremely small revenue" (Einhard, 55). It was Pepin, Charlemagne’s father who set the precedent for the shift in political authority. Starting out as a Mayor of the Palace, which was a title granted by the people to someone who outshone all others by the extent of their wealth and family distinction, Pepin inherited the title of King which he later passed on to his children, Charlemagne and Carloman (56).
The Frankish people had a lot to do with the of political authority. When the question of succession of Kingship between Charlemagne and Carloman arises, a general asserably is called. Similarly, when Carloman dies, Charlemagne cannot take control of Carloman’s empire without first having the consent of all Franks (58). In this way, the role of councils and general asserablies were vital to the political authority of Charlemagne. Often times, however, disagreements between the King and his councils caused rifts. The King was able to without the support of the council. Einhard writes, "…but in the most difficult circumstances, for certain of the Frankish leaders, whom Pepin the Short was accustomed to consult, were so supposed to his wishes that they openly announced their determination to desert their King and return home. Despite this Pepin declared war on King Haistulf and brought this war to a rapid completion" (60). Regardless of disagreements, the councils played an important role in the of political authority; the people were always consulted about matters of importance.
The papacy was another essential element of political authority in Frankish society. The relationships between rulers of the Frankish Empire and the popes have been…forged. Pepin forged a relationship with the papacy by coming to the aid of the Pope of Rome (57). In return, Pepin is made King. Charlemagne’s relationship with the papacy is an extension of his father’s relationship. He continues Pepin’s efforts to protect the papacy. In return, Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne emperor. As emperor of Rome, Charlemagne’s realm of political authority doubles. Charlemagne’s political authority not only lies in the secular world, but in the ecclesiastical world. He takes on the role of the "protector of the church." His new position allows him to do many things, including reforms in the church and the legal system of Frankish society. Einhard writes, "He made careful reforms in the way in which the psalms were chanted and the lessons read…Now that he was Emperor, he discovered that there were many defects in the legal system of his own people, for the Franks have two separate codes of law which differ from each other in many points…he committed to writing the laws of all the nations under his jurisdiction which still remained unrecorded (80-1).
Though there were many outside factors, which attributed to the basis of political authority, transfer of power was still hereditary. Family and relationships were decisive in the position, which a person gained. It was very rare that a person who was not of noble class achieved greatness, although Charlemagne did support meritocracy in his court. In the case of Charlemagne, family was of great importance, since it was his father, Pepin who as King was able to pave the way for Charlemagne to come to power. Charlemagne and his brother, Carloman became kings because of Divine right. Though family position did have its benefits. Many family relationships did create friction as well. For example, Carloman and Charlemagne jointly ruled the Frankish Empire. Einhard writes, "…each received half of the kingdom…This harmony continued between them, but with great difficulty, for many of the partisans of Carloman did their best to break up the alliance, to the point that certain of them even plotted to engage the two in warfare" (57). Before the Frankish empire had to deal with the rivalry, Carloman dies, and through election by the people, Charlemagne becomes the sole ruler of the Frankish empire. With a monarchy, the empire was stronger, more united. Even when it came to his own heirs, dividing the empire amongst all of his children, would weaken the empire. In fact, some of his children were indeed threats to the empire. Einhard writes, "…Pepin who was born to Charlemagne by a concubine…conspired with certain of the Frankish leaders who had won him over to their cause by pretending to offer him the kingship. The plot was discovered and the conspirators were duly punished. Pepin was tortured" (75). To prevent this from happening, Charlemagne kept his children very close to him. He devoted as much time to the upbringing of his daughters as he did to his sons (75). Marriage was another way by which family relations were formed. Often times, marriages were arranged to benefit families politically. In the case of Charlemagne’s first wife, he married the daughter of Desiderius, the King of the LongobarRAB, a rival, at the bidding of his mother (73). Marriage was a way to forge many political as well as diplomatic connections. Women were valuable political pawns, which is perhaps why none of Charlemagne’s daughters got married; their husband posed a threat to the throne.
Fighting was endemic; those who monopolized the wars also controlled society. Frankish was plagued with war after war. The warrior spirit was considered to be one of the most esteemed attributes of a Frank.