Josh Mannion
May 6, 2011
Western Civ.
Weekly #9
Question: Why is it so important to understand Charlemagne if one is to really understand the culture of the Middle Ages?
Charlemagne was born in the late 740s in modern day Belgium and was the son of the Frankish king Pepin the Short. Charlemagne is short for Charles the Great. Charlemagne was king of the Franks and Christian emperor of the West. When Charlemagne became sole ruler in 771, he spent his early part of his reign on military campaigns to expand his kingdom. Charlemagne did a lot to the shape the Middle Ages in Europe through his conversion to Christianity, the Carolingian Renaissance, and his conquers over most of Europe.
During the Middle Ages, there was a lot of conversation, arguments, and attempts to fix Christianity, but it was eventually fixed the High Middle Ages. According to BBC, “He also attempted to consolidate Christianity throughout his vast empire. He persuaded many eminent scholars to come to his court and established a new library of Christian and classical works” (BBC, 2011). This quote from BBC shows how Charlemagne attempted to spread Christianity throughout his huge empire. Charlemagne even had a library of Christian works, which demonstrates his try to bring back Christianity. In the Middle Ages, it was common in trying to restore Christianity, just like Charlemagne during his reign over most of Europe. Charlemagne conquest to bring back Christianity was a very nice try, but not enough. Because Charlemagne tried to restore Christianity, it shows how he built some of the culture of the Middle Ages in Europe. However, this is not all he did.
During the Middle Ages, it was also common for art and scholar. Charlemagne contributed to and basically made the Carolingian Renaissance. BBC states: “His reign marked a period of enormous cultural and literary achievement” (BBS, 2006). This displays how Charlemagne made a culture with art and literature, which was very popular in the Middle Ages. During the Carolingian Renaissance made under Charlemagne, there were increase in writing, architecture, and even liturgical reforms. This quote shows how significant his reign was in changing and in the achievement of cultural and literary enhancement. Charlemagne is a classic example of a ruler during the Middle Ages not all because of his conversion to Christianity and literary advancements, but there was more.
Charlemagne was not only known as Charles the Great, but is also called Charles the Conqueror. According to BBC, “He invaded Saxony in 772 and eventually achieved its total conquest and conversion to Christianity. He also extended his dominance to the south, conquering the kingdom of the Lombards in northern Italy. In 778, he invaded northern Spain, then controlled by the Moors” (BBC, 2011). Another huge part during the middle Ages was conquering places. According to this quote from BBC, Charlemagne took over most of Europe which allowed him to spread Christianity and introduce the Carolingian Renaissance. Charlemagne extended his Frankish Empire all along the Mediterranean Sea, and was too large for his successors to keep up with. Because of him conquering what he did, how could we not call him a prime example of the culture during the Middle Ages?
These quotes show how Charlemagne is a perfect example of the culture of the Middle Ages in Europe. Through his spread of Christianity, his advancements in literature, and his expansion of his empire, why wouldn’t he be an example of the culture during the middle ages? Charlemagne did much to the shape and create the Middle Ages and its culture in Europe through his spread in Christianity, his Carolingian Renaissance, and his conquers over most of Europe. Charlemagne placed a precedent for all his successors in the Middle Ages. Because of all the things Charlemagne did that influenced the culture of the Middles Ages, it is important to understand and learn his life.
Works Cited
BBC, Initials. (2011). Charlemagne (c. 747 - c. 814). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/charlemagne.shtml
BBC, (2006, Mar. 30). The Carolingian Renaissance. Retrieved May 3, 2011, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p003hydz
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