The beginning of the reign of the Carolingian dynasty in the Frankish state

The dynasty of the Carolingians managed to unite the Frankish state under its authority. Before them in the country ruled the weak Merovingians. Karl Martell was a popular warlord and courtier, although he was not considered a king. He managed to defeat the Arabs in the Battle of Poitiers in 732. After this event, the coming to power of his dynasty became only a matter of time.

Political fragmentation of the francs

Karl Martell failed to find the beginning of the reign of the Carolingian dynasty. He passed away in 741. His son Pepin Short inherited from him the title of the Mayor of the Franks. However, as before, there was an institution of royal power, the bearers of which were the Merovingians.

Thus, Pepin was the feudal lord of the second hand, who ruled in the provinces of Neustria, Provence and Burgundy. Part of his father's allotment went to his brother Carloman. The brothers often fought in the union against numerous enemies. The beginning of the reign of the Carolingian dynasty was marked by battles with the Germanic tribes from the east - the Bavarians and the Alemannians.

In 742 the War of the Carolingians was declared by the Duke of Aquitaine Gunalde. He, like many other feudal lords, believed that the brothers usurped power in the state. Gunalda managed to plunder several small towns, after which he was knocked out of these lands. However, later, Pepin still promoted the reign of the new King Hilderik III of the Merovingian dynasty. He did not have actual power and had few resources to fight with powerful feudal lords.

The arrival of the Carolingians to power

Several years passed in the squabbles between the dukes and the counts. Finally, Pipin sent an embassy to the Pope of Rome, who asked if he had the right to be king who had no actual power. Zachary answered that the most powerful and influential must rule. This served as a green light for Pepin.

To the beginning of the reign of the Carolingian dynasty was formally legal, he organized a meeting of the Franks in Soissons. This happened in 751 year. On it numerous faithful feudal lords and aristocrats voted for Pipin. Hilderik was sent to a monastery (this was a frequent measure in the Middle Ages). This was the beginning of the reign of the Carolingian dynasty. The year 752 of the Nativity of Christ became significant for this kind.

Hikes against the Saxons and Lombards

The new king had to prove his legitimacy and consistency. The first to oppose the new government were the restless Saxons. The beginning of the reign of the Carolingian dynasty was marked by a war with this tribe. The king with the army reached the river Weser, where the Saxons were defeated. After that, they began to pay the Franks even greater tribute than before. In addition, they still remained pagans, so it was at this time that the Christian missionaries began their preaching activities in still wild Germany.

Pipin's loyal ally was the Pope, from whose submission the new king received power. Therefore, the Franks defended the Father of the Church every time he was threatened by the neighboring Lombards, who ruled over much of modern Italy. In 752, their leader, Aystulphus, invaded the environs of Rome. The new Pope Stephen III sent a letter to the francs asking for revenue. This was the very beginning of the reign of the Carolingian dynasty. The date of the coronation barely stayed behind, but Pepin went to Rome, despite the danger of uprisings in the rear.

The trip was successful. The leader of the Lombards was defeated. He undertook to give the Pope an important city of Ravenna. In addition, he paid the francs a large indemnity and temporarily stopped the aggressive policy directed against Rome.

Domestic policy

In domestic politics, Pepin also actively supported the Church. He believed that it was this organization that could become one of the main pillars of the state. The king introduced a new tax - a tithe. This money was paid by all residents of the Frankish state. The funds went to the account of the Church.

Pipin also supported the army. His father began the practice of distributing land for service. The new king continued this policy, which allowed him to strengthen his power. Although this measure was the reason for the further feudal fragmentation of Western Europe throughout the Middle Ages.

Pipin died in the year 768. It was they who laid the foundation for the reign of the Carolingian dynasty. The formation of the Frankish state of a new model was successfully completed. In a few decades, his son Charles will become an emperor in the likeness of the Roman rulers of the glorious European past.