Charlemagne

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 member 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 hands 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 q...

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...orn 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 Longobards, 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.