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511
Clovis dies
Clovis I was the first ruler of the Merovingian Dynasty- he established the great Frankish Kingdom. At his death in 511, the kingdom was divided four ways- one part given to each son. This led to many civil wars and weakened the dynasty. -
Nov 10, 732
Charles Martel defeats Muslims near Poitiers
Charles Martel, mayor, crushes a small army of Muslims near Poitiers and became the very first mayor! -
Nov 10, 751
Beginning of Carolingian Dynasty
Pepin the short (son of Charles Martel) replaced Childeric III (the last Merovingian king) as king of Franks. This began the Carolingian Dynasty. This new dynasty was stronger because Pepin's alliance with the papacy. Pepin fought wars for the Pope in Italy and then gave the lands to the Pope. The Pope, in turn, would grant political favors for Pepin. Through his efforts, Pepin the Short united and grew the Frankish Kingdom during his reign. -
Pepin the Short dies
Upon the death of Pepin the Short in 768, Pepin's kingdom was divided between his two sons. One of his sons, Charlemagne, went on to become the greatest Frankish king and one of the greatest conquerors of all time! Charlemagne continued to fight for the Pope in Italy, which also helped his own kingdom. -
Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emporer by Pope Leo III
During Charlemagne's rule, he created a huge system of control where his empire was divided into about 250 countries, each governed by adminstrators. He also started a program of intellectual and religious reforms, using a team of leading scholars in Europe. -
Charlemagne dies
After Charlemagne's death in 814, the Frankish empire was divided back up into parts again. -
Treaty of Verdun
After the death of Charlemagne, the Frankish empire was divided into 3 kingdoms among his 3 grandsons (the Treaty of Verdun in 843). In this treaty, the area that is mostly current day France, was given to Charles the Bald. During the 9th century, the Carolingian kings lost a lot of their power because the nobles were becoming stronger and all the invasions of France's western coast by Norsemen, plus the rivalry and disunity among the Franks. -
End of Carolingian Dynasty & Beginning of Capetian Dynasty
The nobles ended the Carolingian Dynasty and chose Hugh Capet as their new king. This was the beginning of the Capetian Dynasty.
