Clovis & Charlemagne

(Originally written February 15, 2006 in Book 24)

Test: Birth of Christianity to AD 1000

Conversion of the Franks

Baptism of Clovis

Under the Roman Empire the Church developed a hierarchy and a powerful influence in the West.

When the Germanic invaders came the Church was severely damaged.

Early Church spreads through conversions of individuals and families. During the Germanic period the Church is faced with tribal and ethnic groups who make tribal decisions. The Church must convert the whole tribe or ethnic group.

Clovis cannot, even being leader, convert his tribe by converting. The tribe must convert as a decision of the whole tribe.

In order to convert whole tribes the Bishops have to change tactics. They are forced to choose their theological battles.

To rebuild the destroyed Church in the West the Bishops are placed in charge of a certain territory and charged with converting the people of their territory.

Church Hierarchy

Bishop - bishopric/diocese
Head Priest - Parish
Individual Priest - Church

Numerous churches pop up all over during the "dark ages" as the Church tried to Christianize the population of the fallen part of the West. Bishops can't afford it so local Barons begin to plant churches and place priests in them. This is good but unfortunately some of the priests put into power are illiterate peasants.

The Church gains converts by the chieftains and kings. The chieftains and kings gain stability of the Catholic population when they convert and learn literacy, administration techniques and access to Roman Law (Justinian Code).

Charlemagne, a Carolingian

Charlemagne and the Carolingians came to power in December 25, 800.

Gained much territory
Waged a long and brutal war against the Angles and Saxons
First Germanic king to establish a centralized palace at Aachen

Charlemagne struggles with being an independent leader and Constantinople thinking they are in control.

This struggle is one of the causes of the West/East split of the Church

Claims to be the Roman Emperor of the West

Charlemagne's bones are near the altar in Aachen. They are a relic.

A relic is a part of a holy person's body that has been preserved for pilgrimage purposes.

Charlemagne is one of the important people in Church History for spreading Christianity in Frankia.

Spreads literate priests throughout Frankia.

Establishes a learning center to spread a more uniform version of Christianity (Carolingian Renaissance)

Germanic kings feel that a single religion was needed for stability

Charlemagne encourages growth of monasteries

Monks in these monasteries are charged with copying manuscripts (by hand). They are why we have classical works: i.e. Cicero, Plato, etc.