Carolingian period

Carolingian Period (714 - 843)

The Carolingians or Karlinger are a Franconian noble and ruling family from the Moselle-Maas area. They are named after Charlemagne and arose from a connection between the Arnulfingers and the Pippinids.

The Carolingians rose in 751 with Pippin III. with elimination of the Merovingians over the office of the house mayor to the kingship. Their incorporation into an occidental supremacy was shown in 800 when Charlemagne was crowned emperor.

Charlemagne founded the new Western Roman Empire when he was in Rome on December 25, 800 by Pope Leo III. was crowned emperor.

Franconian inheritance law did not provide for automatic primacy of the firstborn. Based on this, the Frankish kingdom was divided several times after the death of Charlemagne. The Treaty of Verdun in 843 can be seen as the basis for the emergence of France and Germany. The divisions were accompanied by an increase in the power of the Frankish nobility, who continually tried to influence the division plans in their favor.

The Carolingian dynasty ruled Central Europe in various constellations until 987 and decisively shaped the image of Europe in the early Middle Ages.