Notes on Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire

Introduction

• Date of significance: December 25, 800 AD
• Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome
• Title used by powerful rulers in Europe until the 19th century
• Notable division between Charlemagne's empire (centered in France) and the Holy Roman Empire (not in France)

The Rise of Charlemagne

• 768 AD: Pepin of the Carolingian dynasty dies, leaving the kingdom to sons Charles and Carloman
• Split of kingdom due to Salic inheritance laws
  • Carloman rules for 3 years before his death
  • Charles (Charlemagne) expands the Frankish realm significantly

Coronation and Expansion

• In 800, Pope Leo III asks Charles to restore him to power in Rome
• Charles is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, known as Charlemagne (Charles the Great)
• Post-coronation: further conquests and conflicts with Constantinople

Succession and Fragmentation

• Charlemagne dies with only one living son, maintaining a united empire
• Successor: Louis the Pious, who has multiple sons
• Civil war after Louis's death leads to fragmentation of the empire over the next 50 years
  • Empire briefly reunites but splits again

The Shift in Leadership

• In the East, Carolingian kings replaced by Saxon rulers
• King Otto reforms succession laws, consolidating power
  • Otto crowned Holy Roman Emperor after conquering Italy
  • Personal authority allows for a puppet state in the West

Decline of Central Authority

• Otto's death in 973 leads to rebellion against his son, resulting in the independence of the West
• Hugh Capet becomes king, ending Carolingian rule
  • New Capetian dynasty is weak and decentralized

Transformation of the Holy Roman Empire

• By the 12th century, the Holy Roman Emperor title viewed as German rather than Frankish
• No attempts to subjugate France post-Otto I

Conflicts and Elections

• Internal struggles within the Holy Roman Empire
  • Pressure from northern, eastern, and southern borders
  • Power struggles between lords and the emperor
• 1519: Election of a new emperor after Maximilian's death
  • Candidates: Charles I of Spain, Henry VIII of England, Francis I of France
  • Charles wins due to military strength and financial promises
  • Francis loses due to poor strategy in bribing electors

Conclusion

• No chance for unification between France and the Holy Roman Empire post-1519

Acknowledgments

• Special thanks to patrons supporting the lecture.