Medieval History Essay
Was Charlemagne deserving of his epithet ‘Great’?
Charlemagne (c. 742-814) – ‘Charles the Great’- left a strong and enduring impression upon
the consciousness of posterity. King of the Franks and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire were the
titles placed next to his lordship’s name and, in the subsequent Middle Ages, he was viewed as the
embodiment of the ideal king. The numerous accomplishments of the historical ruler remain a
testimony of Charlemagne’s greatness, ranging from administrative and educational reforms to
political and military dominance.
Like most kings called ‘Great’, Charlemagne was successful at warfare. His success in the art
of combat is evident through the numerous campaigns in which the Frankish army was engaged in
(starting from Charles’s joint accession in 789 until four years prior to his death) and their
triumphant conclusions. The monarch’s subduing of Aquitaine; defeat of Lombard king, Desiderius;
the incorporation of Lombardy and Bavaria into the kingdom of the Franks, as well as the integration
of the Frisians and Slavs, are a few of Charlemagne’s military accomplishments.
Once having initiated a war, Charlemagne remained resolute in bringing about a permanent
and definitive conclusion. This condition is made apparent through his war with the fierce Avars,
lasting for eight years in which Charles was only satisfied to cease fighting after he had captured the
Hun’s large hoard and completely annihilated the enemy:
“Just ...how much blood was shed is shown by the fact that Pannonia is now
completely uninhabited and that the site of the Khan’s palace is now so deserted
that no evidence remains that anyone ever lived there” (Einhard).
Moreover, the unwavering resoluteness of Charlemagne and his thoroughness in victories can
further be seen through the ruler’s longest fought war. For thirty-three years, despite being engaged
in other campaigns, Charles fought a brutal and ceaseless war against the pagan Saxons in which the
Saxons would regularly submit to the Frankish king’s authority, yet just as frequently rebel against it.
However, despite the heathens’ stubborn defiance Charlemagne still was able to achieve in the
conquest of Saxony and Christianising:
‘The war that had lasted so many years was at length ended by their acceding to
the terms offered by the King...acceptance of the ...Christian faith...’ (Einhard).
Charles the Great was a devoted Christian and his faith permeated into nearly all that he did
(“Charlemagne practised the Christian religion with great devotion and piety...”, Einhard). However,
the king’s condition of all conquered people needing to adopt Christianity as their religion did not
solely stem from Charlemagne’s personal preferences
“...conditions imposed by the King...were to give up their devil worship and...once
they had adopted the sacraments of the Christian faith...” (Einhard).
It is likely that the main reason as to why Charlemagne demanded that the Saxons, Frisians and Slavs
convert to the Christian religion before he would recognise any of their submissions was because the
faith served as a means of uniting his subjects and hence, maintaining peace in Frankland. This
masterful, yet subtle control over his people demonstrates Charlemagne’s administrative capacity to
rule.
Sandra Pantic,
Medieval History, John Hood.
Page 1
Once having gained sufficient control over the people, Charles took two approaches to
properly maintain his power. The first way was by continuously travelling around the empire,
personally over-seeing matters. The second way was through the implementation of reforms in the
judicial system. Perhaps the most important reform was the use of missi dominici, royal
commissioners, who were sent out across the entire kingdom to supervise counts and report directly
to Charlemagne. Hence, by having personal messengers throughout the realm, Charles could ensure
that his commands were being obeyed.
The appointment of the missi dominci also significantly improved the justice system by notifying
Charlemagne of any issues concerning the law (thereby, providing a means of rectification) and by
sharply reducing the count’s and, in some instances, the bishop’s, unlimited power over judicial and
administrative matters. Charles then decided to make national laws uniform and transparent to all.
He accomplished his aim via the introduction of capitularies which can be defined as documents that
are expressive to the governmental will (King, 1986).The capitularies managed to improve the
Frankish legal system by forcing judges to judge in accordance with the recorded law, thus
preventing cases to be decided at individual discretion:
‘That judges shall judge justly, according to the written law and not according to
their own judgment’ (Capitulary of Charlemagne Issued in the Year 802, chp. 2,
para.26).
Lastly, Charles revised and amended necessary codes of the Germanic groups which he ruled over.
This proved very helpful for the tribes had varying laws which were not recorded:
‘...he caused the unwritten laws of all the tribes that came under his rule to be
compiled and reduced to writing.’ (Einhard).
Further contributing to the view regarding Charlemagne’s magnanimity as a monarch was
the leader’s concern for his subjects. Charles strongly believed that it was his personal duty to
ensure the welfare of his people so he stated it thus in the capitularies:
“...for the lord emperor himself, after God and His saints, had constituted himself
their protector and defender” (General Capitulary of the Missi, para. 5).
During his reign, Charlemagne took extraordinary steps (by Dark Age standards) to fulfil his assigned
role by passing a number of reforms that were directed at protecting his subjects from dishonest
merchants and greedy landowners (Dahmus, 1967). Charles also thought it of great import to ensure
that the people had a guaranteed supply of food, in times of crop failure, so he forbade the export of
corn. Moreover, in the capitulary of 807, Charlemagne attempted to protect farmers who were
unable to hire help for tending their crops by restricting military obligations to freemen who could
best afford participating in extended campaigns.
Sandra Pantic,
Medieval History, John Hood.
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However, the reform which most distinguished Charlemagne’s reign from that of any other
ruler of the Dark Ages was in the less traditional and highly neglected field of education. (With the
exception of a small handful of ecclesiastical members, the knowledge of reading and writing had
almost been lost amongst the Franks and even the few holy men who were supposed to have been
taught such skills, found themselves lacking: “…my speech is rude...”, Gregory of Tours). Having
recognised the poor educational state of the Frankish people, Charlemagne’s first step in addressing
the crisis was to summon prominent scholars from throughout Europe: Peter of Pisa and Paul the
Deacon from Italy; Theodulf of Orleans from Spain; Joseph from Ireland; and Alcuin from
Northumbria, all accepted the king’s invitation. These brilliant and obliging scholars then formed an
unofficial ‘Palace Academy’ with a primary objective of educating the court. Charlemagne, himself,
was particularly enthusiastic to learn and decided to take personal lessons from Alcuin as well as
organising for his whole family to be tutored, thereby also setting an example for his subjects:
‘...Albin of Britain, surnamed Alcuin...was his teacher in other branches of
learning...’; ‘The plan that he adopted for his children’s education was... in the
liberal arts.’ (Einhard).
The ensuing revival in learning- at Charles’s court- quickly led to the Carolingian Renaissance
which became a ray of light in an age renowned for its scarce written documents. A court library was
established containing the works of ancient authors and books written by fathers of the church:
(‘...the books which he has collected in his library in great numbers...’ Einhard). At the request of
Charlemagne, Alcuin began correcting mistakes in the Frankish bible and service books (which had
gradually crept into over the years) and monks were also urged to make new copies of worn or
damaged books. This copying of texts proceeded throughout Frankland during the entire renaissance
and, from this set task, the highly-legible script of Carolingian Miniscule was developed.
Envisaging universal education, Charles did not discriminate against the lower class, allowing
boys of poorer backgrounds to study in schools. The king then further persisted in his endeavour to
educate all his subjects by emphasising the importance of the written word in his Admonitio
generalis of 789 and, in the same capitulary, passed a law that every abbey and monastery must
have a school.
Charlemagne’s fostering of intellectual life is one feat contributing to his great reputation.
Yet, according to King (1986), the reason for this deliberate fostering was because it was coincident
with the ruler’s aim of reshaping society as a Christian one. (The education received by his subjects
focused on classical Latin so that their understanding of the Bible could be enhanced.) Charles
remained deeply pious
(“...he went to church morning and evening with great regularity, and also for
early-morning Mass, and the late-night hours.” Einhard)
and strongly believed that he was the protector of Christianity. So, when Pope Leo III was attacked in
Rome by his enemies, Charles granted him refuge; demanded that the pope first purge himself
before his pleas for restoration would be answered; then provided Leo with protection and
confirmed his title. This incident confirmed the great political power which the Frankish king
possessed and is further reinforced through Charlemagne’s acclamation on Christmas Day, AD 800 as
emperor.
Sandra Pantic,
Medieval History, John Hood.
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The political standing of Charles’s was also evident through the absence of a Frankish
institution (such as an assembly of princes) which could have blocked his will. Nevertheless,
Charlemagne did not get overly-confident and ensured his power by doing only what most of his
subjects considered reasonable (Dahmus, 1967). The great strength of the Frankish military also
contributed to asserting Charles’s influence in other realms and this is exemplified through the
coercion of the Bretons to acknowledge his authority
‘When they refused to obey him, he sent an army against them, and compelled
them to give hostages, and to promise to do his bidding.’ (Einhard).
Charlemagne was the embodiment of the ideal king. His strength in the military field
expanded Frankish dominions to the north, south and east. His political authority was great and his
administrative skills were brilliant. Charles the Great was the champion of Christianity and a patron
for education. Under his fostering, a ray of light was shone onto the Dark Ages which is known as the
Carolingian Renaissance. As a ruler, Charles remained true to his convictions forging his society in
accordance with Christian tenets. Yet, it was the ethos which the Frankish king imparted to his fortyseven-long year reign, which was his greatest accomplishment. Charlemagne, King of the Franks,
Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, does not simply deserve his epitaph ‘Great’; he is owed it.
Sandra Pantic,
Medieval History, John Hood.
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References
1. Thorpe, Lewis 1969, Einhard and Notker the Stammerer Two Lives of Charlemagne, Penguin
Books Ltd, England.
2. King, P.D. 1986, Charlemagne, Methuen & Co. Ltd, London.
3. Fordham University, Medieval Sourcebook: Charlemagne: General Capitulary of the Missi
(802), <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/carol-missi1.html>, date accessed:
1/05/2010.
4. Dahmus, Joseph 1967, Seven Medieval Kings, George Allen & Unwin Ltd, London.
5. Gregory of Tours, History of the Franks, <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/gregoryhist.html#pref1>, date accessed: 2/05/2010.
6. Yale Law School, The Avalon Project : Capitulary of Charlemagne Issued in the Year 802,
<http://avalon.law.yale.edu/medieval/capitula.asp>, date accessed: 1/05/2010.
Sandra Pantic,
Medieval History, John Hood.
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