Course Code
HIST 0110
Course Type
Tutorials
Subject Credit
Course Availability

Charlemagne (King of the Franks from 768, Emperor from 800, died 814) was the most militarily and politically successful ruler in western Europe since the fall of the western Roman Empire.  He also presided over a period of distinct religious, intellectual and artistic creativity. This tutorial explores the world of Charlemagne and his dynasty, the Carolingians. It ranges from the mid-eighth century career of Charlemagne’s grandfather (Charles Martel) to the death of the final legitimate Carolingian emperor (Charles the Fat) in 888.  

Sample topics:

The rise of the Carolingians

Sources for Carolingian history

Charlemagne and the imperial title

Carolingian Christianity

Economic life

The Carolingian Renaissance

Viking attacks and Frankish response

Dynastic politics in the ninth century