The Papacy of the Dark Ages

(Originally written July 23, 2006 in Book 5)

The History of Western Philosophy
Bertrand Russell

Chapter 7 - The Papacy of the Dark Ages

The Pope allied himself with the Franks, in Charlemagne, laying the foundations for the Holy Roman Empire. The Papal States were established by a union between Pope Stephen III and Pepin, who became king of the Franks. Pepin's son, Charlemagne, defeated the Lombards in Italy, giving the Papal States legitimacy. Charlemagne, though illiterate, revived literacy in the new Holy Roman Empire.

St. Boniface converted Germany through monasticism. Boniface was a native of Devonshire, England and was educated at Exeter and Winchester. It is Boniface's work that made German Christianity faithful to the Pope and not independent like Irish Christianity.

Alucin was important to culture and taught Charlemagne's court Latin.

The decay of Carolingian power after the death of Charlemagne allowed the Pope to claim more power in Pope Nicholas I.

During the 10th Century the Papacy was under control of the powerful Roman aristocratic families.

Monastic reform began around 1000 and brought the Church out of a very low time.