NOTE: In the historical biographies on this web site, all capitals means the individual is a direct ancestor.
Also, I've color-coded my ancestors' names so that
Schmitt is white
Larson is blue
Farr is red
Helgeson is yellow
and indirect relatives are black.
If I'm related to them through more branches than just one, then there will be a mix of colors.
The Carolingians·
By Jenny Schmitt
(I’ve only written about ones that are related to me directly, not as a branch off Charlemagne.)
It was the year 751; the Merovingian line, once strong under the capable hands of Clovis the Frank, was now in disrepair. The last strong Merovingian ruler had ruled a little over a century ago, and feudal lords now had better hands on governing the Astrasian kingdom than the kings themselves. In fact, “king” was little more than a title. One family, the Carolingians, held sway over the rulers for more than 100 years. They were practically kings, inventing the title majordomo. The majordomo, or mayor of the palace, for the most part was a Carolingian who had hereditary right. PEPIN III, a mayor of the palace, actually seized control over Childeric III, the last Merovingian king. PEPIN III received approval of the pope to become king, and had his two sons, CHARLES (or CHARLEMAGNE) and Carloman, anointed. This was the beginning of the Carolingian dynasty.
“Carolingian” gets its name from the dynasty’s most famous member: CHARLEMAGNE. His Latin name, Carolus Augustus (or Magnus) provides for the Carolingian name, and also his own name, CHARLEMAGNE. To match his prestige as a conquering, church appointed emperor, his linage also gave testimony to the family.
The first mayor of the palace was also Carolingian. PEPIN OF LANDEN joined with ARNULF, BISHOP OF METZ, in an attempt to overthrow Brunhild, queen of Austrasia (613). Eventually, PEPIN, having succeeded, ended up serving the successor, Clotaire II. PEPIN’S daughter and ARNULF’S son were married and had a son who would be known as PEPIN OF HERISTAL.
Pepin of Heristal
PEPIN OF HERISTAL, or PEPIN II, reunited Frankish kingdoms, expanded Carolingian rule to neighboring states, and subdued pagan Frisians. He still kept the Merovingian Dynasty on the throne, and served, like his grandsire, under them as mayor of the palace. His illegitimate son, CHARLES MARTEL (c.688-741), succeeded him as mayor of the palace.
Charles Martel
CHARLES MARTEL changed the European world, as we know it. Muslims invaded France in 732, and CHARLES retaliated. He won the Battle of Tours, and halted their invasion of Europe. Imagine if he had not been able to block the flow of Islam? His name, “Martel”, means “the hammer”.
When he was about sixteen, CHARLES MARTEL’S father died, and CHARLES’ stepmother imprisoned him, but CHARLES escaped a year later and the Austrasians declared him mayor of the palace. Neustria and Austraisia subsequently warred about the rightful king. CHARLES MARTEL afterwards became undeniably ruler of all Franks.
Though still having the Merovingian kings on the throne, CHARLES fought in wars, including against the Saxons, Alemanni, Bavarians, and as I mentioned, the Muslims. He helped missionaries to witness to barbarians, and bought loyalty from nobles by giving them land.
CHARLES MARTEL’S son, PEPIN III was the first Carolingian to be called “King”. The last Merovingian king was deposed by PEPIN, and he took up the crown. He went by other names, “PIPPIN”, or “PEPIN THE SHORT”. He had a wife called BERTRADE, or BERTHA GREATFOOT. Apparently, she was tall; perhaps that was where CHARLEMAGNE got his height.
CHARLEMAGNE is thought to be the most important Carolingian. If you’d like to read about him please click on his name.
CHARLEMAGNE’S son, Louis I, was weak; with his kingdom filled with civil wars and revolts. His three sons split the kingdom between themselves officially using the Treaty of Verdun. From them, the realm dived into the East Franks, the West Franks, and the Lotharingians. I am descended from the West Franks and the Lotharingians.
“Carolingian” derives its name from “Carlovingian”, a blend of Latin for Charles and the last letters of the first dynasty, “Merovingian”.|
Pepin I, the Elder* *Mayors of the Palace
|
628-639 |
· Sources:
Greenblatt, Miriam. Charlemagne. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2003.
Chisholm, Jane. World History Dates. Usborne Illustrated World History series. Tulsa, OK: EDC, n.d. 22-23.
Compton’s 1999 Interactive Encyclopedia Deluxe. CD-ROM. 1999 ed. Novato, CA: The Learning Company, Mindscape, 1998.
Curtis, A. Kenneth, J. Stephen Lang, and Randy Peterson. The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 1998. 62-66.
Dijkstra, Henk, ed. Christianity and Islam. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 1996. Vol. 8 of History of the Ancient & Medieval World.
Encarta Encyclopedia 2000. CD-ROM. 2000 ed. Redmond, WA: Microsoft, 1993-1999.
Last updated 05/09/2005
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