HIST 210: The Early Middle Ages, 284-1000 (Fall 2011, Open Yale Courses): Lecture 19

HIST 210: The Early Middle Ages, 284-1000

Lecture 19 - Charlemagne. In this lecture, Professor Freedman discusses the Carolingian dynasty from its origins through its culmination in the figure of Charlemagne. The Carolingians sought to overthrow the much weakened Merovingian dynasty by establishing their political legitimacy on three bases: war leadership, Christian rule, and the legacy of Rome. Charlemagne's grandfather Charles Martel won a major victory over the Muslims in 733 at the Battle of Poitiers. Charlemagne's father Pepin the Short allied the Carolingians with the papacy at a time when the latter was looking for a new protector. Charlemagne, crowned emperor in Rome by Pope Leo III in 800, made strides in reestablishing the Roman Empire; although, being centered in northern Europe, his was not an exact imitation of the Roman Empire. Professor Freedman concludes the lecture with the observation that Charlemagne can be considered the founder of Europe as a political and cultural expression.
(from oyc.yale.edu)

Lecture 19 - Charlemagne

Time	Lecture Chapters
[00:00:00]	1. Introduction
[00:07:41]	2. The Last Years of the Merovingians
[00:16:44]	3. Establishing Carolingian Legitimacy
[00:27:23]	4. Charles Martel and Pepin the Short
[00:34:51]	5. Charlemagne