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The Carolingians were a dynasty of rulers that eventually controlled the Frankish realm and its successors from the 8th to the 10th century, officially taking over the kingdom from the Merovingian dynasty in 751. The name Carolingian itself comes from the dynasty's most prominent figure, Charles the Great, better known as Charlemagne (in Latin: Carolus Magnus).However, the dynasty is usually considered to have been founded by Arnulf of Metz, Bishop of Metz in the late 7th century, who wielded a great deal of power and influence in the Merovingian kingdoms. Pippin of Herstal, Mayor of the Palace of the Kingdom of Austrasia, was succeeded by his son Charles Martel as Mayor, who in turn was the father of Pippin III, called "the Short". Pippin had become king after having used his position as Mayor to garner support among many of the leading Franks, as well as the pope, in order to depose the last Merovingian king, ChildericChilderic III (died about 751), king of the Franks, was the last king of the Merovingian dynasty. The throne had been vacant for seven years when the mayors of the palace, Carloman and Pippin the Short, decided in 743 to recognize Childeric as king. We ca in 751. Charlemagne, Pippin's son, became King of the Franks in 768Events Charles (Charlemagne) and Carloman divide the Frankish kingdom after the death of their father Pippin the Short. The date, according to the Annales Cambriae when Wales began to celebrate Easter on the Roman date, at the teaching of Elbodugus. Augus and was crowned EmperorAn emperor is a monarch and sovereign ruler of an empire or any other imperial realm. Emperors are generally recognised to be above kings in honour. They may obtain their position hereditarily, or by force, such as a coup d'etat. Derivation of Emperor The by Pope Leo IIILeo III (died June 12, 816) was Pope from 795 to 816. Leo announced his election to Charlemagne, sending him the keys of Saint Peter's tomb and the banner of Rome, requesting an envoy. Charlemagne in his reply stated that it was his function to defend the in 800Alternate uses, see Number 800. Events December 25, Rome, coronation of Charles the Great ( Charlemagne) as emperor by Pope Leo III. Celtic monks begin work on the Book of Kells on the Island of Iona. Births Abu al-Kindi, Muslim philosopher (approximate d.
After the division of the Empire in the Treaty of VerdunIn the Treaty of Verdun of 843 the three surviving sons of Louis the Pious divided his territories, the Carolingian Empire, into three kingdoms. When Louis the Pious had died in 840, the eldest son, Lothar, claimed overlordship over his brothers' kingdoms in 843Events Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian empire between the 3 sons of Louis the Pious. Namely Charles the Bald, Lothar and Louis the German. Kenneth MacAlpin, King of the Scots, makes himself King of the Picts. The resulting unified Scottish/Pictis, the Carolingians initially continued to hold the throne in all three sections that were created.
- In the West, which was the nucleus of later France, they continued to be the ruling dynasty until a minor branch of the family, the Capetians, ascended the (by that time) French throne in 987.
- In the Middle, the Northern Italy or Lotharingia, the major branch of the family ruled till 887, but further division was based on the Treaty of Mersen in 870.
- In the East, the kernel of the later Holy Roman Empire, the Carolingians ruled only until 911, the death of Louis the Child. Here, the Carolingians were succeeded by a Saxon dynasty commonly referred to as the Ottonians.
