Carloman (mayor of the palace) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carloman
Charles Martel divides the realm between Pepin and Carloman.
Born	c. 713
Died	17 July or 17 August 754 (aged 40-41) Vienne, Isère
Resting place	Abbey of Monte Cassino
Known for	Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, Duke of the Franks
Children	(possibly) Rotrude, Countess of Paris

Carloman (born between 706 and 716 – died August 17, 754) was an important leader in the Frankish kingdom. He was the oldest son of Charles Martel, who was a powerful "mayor of the palace" and "duke of the Franks." Carloman's mother was Chrotrud of Treves.

When his father Charles Martel died in 741, Carloman and his brother Pepin the Short took over their father's roles. Carloman became the mayor of the palace in a region called Austrasia, while Pepin ruled Neustria. Carloman was part of the famous Carolingian dynasty. Many historians believe he played a key role in making his family very powerful, even more powerful than the kings of the Merovingian dynasty who were officially in charge at the time.

In 747, Carloman decided to leave his powerful position and become a monk. This was unusual for a ruler. He was seen as a "saintly king" who cared more about his religious faith than about political power. This showed how much Christian beliefs were starting to influence society in those times.

Taking Power: Carloman and Pepin

After their father Charles Martel died, Carloman and Pepin took control. Their half-brother, Grifo, who was Charles's son from another marriage, was not given any power. Charles Martel had wanted it this way. Grifo demanded a share, but his brothers refused.

In 741, Carloman and Pepin attacked Grifo in Laon. They captured him and made him join a monastery. After this, each brother focused on his own area. Pepin was in charge of the western part, called Neustria (around Nancy and Reims). Carloman ruled the eastern part, called Austrasia (around Bruges, Metz, and Fulda). Austrasia was where the Carolingian family had its main power base.

Carloman and Pepin had not yet proven themselves in battle like their father. So, Carloman suggested they put a Merovingian king back on the throne. In 743, they made Childeric III king. Their father, Charles Martel, had left the throne empty since 737.

For seven years, Carloman and Pepin worked together well. They often joined forces for military actions. Carloman helped Pepin fight against Hunald I of Aquitaine in 742 and again in 745. Pepin helped Carloman against the Saxons in 742–743. He also helped Carloman against Odilo, Duke of Bavaria, in 742 and 744. Odilo was their brother-in-law, as he had married their sister Hiltrude.

Strengthening the Carolingian Family

Carloman made his rule stronger by supporting a missionary named Winfrid, who later became Saint Boniface. Boniface was known as the "Apostle of the Germans." Carloman asked him to reorganize the church in Austrasia. This was a plan that Carloman's grandfather, Pepin of Herstal, and his father, Charles Martel, had started.

Charles Martel had set up four church areas in Bavaria and made Boniface the main archbishop for all of Germany east of the Rhine River. Boniface had been protected by Charles Martel since 723. Boniface himself said that without this protection, he couldn't manage the church, protect his priests, or stop people from worshipping old pagan gods.

In 742, Carloman was key in organizing the Concilium Germanicum. This was the first big meeting of the Church in the eastern Frankish kingdom. Carloman and Boniface led the meeting together. They decided that priests could not carry weapons or have women living in their homes. They also said that a main job for priests was to get rid of pagan beliefs.

Carloman's father had often taken church land to reward his followers and pay for his army. This army had helped him win the important Battle of Tours. By 742, the Carolingian family was rich enough to pay their soldiers and also support the Church. Carloman was a very religious man, so supporting the church was important to him. For Pepin, it was a practical way to gain power. Both brothers saw that it was important to have strong ties with the Church. Carloman even gave land for one of Boniface's most important monasteries, Fulda.

Carloman's Firm Actions

Even though Carloman was very religious, he could be tough with people who opposed him. After many revolts, Carloman called a meeting of the Alemanni leaders in 746 at Cannstatt. There, he had thousands of these leaders arrested and executed for treason. This event is known as the Blood Court at Cannstatt.

This action removed almost all the tribal leaders of the Alemanni. It also ended the independence of their duchy (a region ruled by a duke). After this, the region was controlled by counts appointed by the Frankish rulers. These actions made Carloman's position stronger, and also helped his family become more powerful, especially against other leading German families like the Bavarian Agilolfings.

Leaving Public Life

On August 15, 747, Carloman gave up his job as mayor of the palace. He decided to become a monk. He was officially made a monk in Rome by Pope Zachary. All records from that time say that Carloman chose to leave public life on his own. Some people have wondered if he was encouraged by the pope or his brother Pepin to stay in Italy, but there's no clear proof.

Carloman first started a monastery on Monte Soratte. Then, he moved to Monte Cassino. All the old writings say he truly believed he was meant for a monastic life. He spent most of the rest of his life at Monte Cassino, likely praying and meditating. His son, Drogo, tried to get his father's share of the family wealth from Pepin, but Drogo was quickly stopped.

Seven years after Carloman retired, and just before he died, he briefly returned to public life. In 754, Pope Stephen II asked Pepin, who was now king, for help against the king of the Lombards, Aistulf. Carloman left Monte Cassino, at Aistulf's request, to visit his brother. He wanted to ask Pepin not to go to war in Italy. Pepin thought his brother was being used by Aistulf to waste time. So, Pepin continued his war preparations and asked Carloman to stay in a monastery in France instead of going back to Monte Cassino. However, Carloman died shortly after, in Vienne, on August 17. He was buried at Monte Cassino.

Images for kids

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  Charles Martel divides the realm between Pepin and Carloman.

See also

In Spanish: Carlomán (hijo de Carlos Martel) para niños