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__NOTOC__[[File: Karl_Aachen_RathausCharlemagne_coronation.jpg|300px|thumbnail|left|Statue of Charlemagne at AachenBeing Crowned the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III]]Charlemagne or Karl “the Great” (ruled AD 768-814) is regarded by scholars and laypeople alike as the greatest Europeans in history. Today, both the French and Germans claim him as one of their earliest known and most revered monarchs due to his great deeds and the fact that he was one of the best recorded early medieval European kings.

Charlemagne or Karl “the Great” (ruled AD 768-814) is regarded by scholars and lay people alike as one of the greatest Europeans in history. Today, both the French and Germans claim him as one of their earliest known and most revered monarchs due to his great deeds and the fact that he was one of the best recorded early medieval European kings. The early medieval scholar Einhard wrote an account of Charlemagne based on the time he spent with the emperor and numerous statues and other works of art that depict the sovereign were scattered throughout western Europe, especially at the royal capital city of Aachen, which was where thirty-one German kings were later crowned as emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. What made Charlemagne “great” and the subject of Einhard’s biography, countless works of art, and numerous modern studies was his ability to pull Europe out of the Dark Ages and into the medieval period.

Charlemagne’s contributions to Europe cannot be overstated. Although he had a good template from which to build on thanks to his Frankish predecessors, Charlemagne showed incredible foresight and will as he brought stability back to Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire's collapse. His support of the Roman Catholic Church brought unity to much of the continent, which culminated culminating with his coronation as the “Holy Roman Emperor” in 800 by Pope Leo III. Quite often Charlemagne used force to put recalcitrant Germanic tribes in line as he unified western Europe, but almost as important, although lesser known, were the economic initiatives he championed. The first Holy Roman Emperor also promoted a balanced economy based on free trade, industry, agriculture, and a monetary policy. As part of his monetary policy, Charlemagne championed silver as the standard currency in western Europe and also established a unitary system of weights and measures for coins and commodities. Finally, new farming techniques and technologies were introduced during Charlemagne’s reign that allowed the population of Europe to grow. Truly, Charlemagne’s economic policies allowed western Europe to emerge from the Dark Ages.

Charlemagne often used force to put recalcitrant Germanic tribes in line as he unified western Europe, but almost as important, although lesser-known, were the economic initiatives he championed. The first Holy Roman Emperor also promoted a balanced economy based on free trade, industry, agriculture, and monetary policy. As part of his monetary policy, Charlemagne championed silver as the standard currency in western Europe and also established a unitary system of weights and measures for coins and commodities. Finally, new farming techniques and technologies were introduced during Charlemagne’s reign that allowed Europe's population to grow. Truly, Charlemagne’s economic policies allowed western Europe to emerge from the Dark Ages. ====The Franks and the Carolingians====

[[File: Charlemagne_coronationThe emperor Charlemagne was descended from an ethnic group known as the Franks, who came to prominence in western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire in AD 476. Like many of their tribal neighbors of the time, the Franks were of Germanic origin and culturally different from the Romans.jpg|300px|thumbnail|right|Charlemagne Being Crowned Despite their differences with the Romans, when the Franks settled in the Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III]]province of Gaul (roughly equivalent to modern France) in the fifth century, they desired to be Rome's citizens.

The emperor Charlemagne was descended from an ethnic group known as the Franks, who came to prominence in western Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire in AD 476. The Franks, like many of their tribal neighbors of the time, were of Germanic origin and culturally different than the Romans. Despite their differences with the Romans, when the Franks settled in the Roman province of Gaul (roughly equivalent to modern France) in the fifth century they desired to be citizens of Rome. In their quest to be Romans, the Franks were among the first of the Germanic tribes to convert to Roman Catholicism , and they even fought alongside the Romans to defeat Attila and his army of Huns in 451. <ref> James, Edward. “The Northern World in the Dark Ages, 400-900.” In <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192801333/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0192801333&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=e0459f2de47255b440690db378011ced The Oxford History of Medieval Europe].</i> Edited by George Holmes. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001), p. 65</ref> But as the Franks did what they could to impress the Romans, the empire collapsed, leaving the Franks and the other Germanic tribes to establish successor kingdoms throughout western Europe. The Franks would create the best organized and most enduring of all these states.

Most experts place the origins of the Frankish kingdom with King Clovis, who inherited his position from his father, Childeric, in 482. Clovis was able to conquer most of Gaul and brought back a considerable amount of political and social stability to the region that had been absent in the wake of repeated Germanic invasions and the withdrawal of Roman forces. Clovis also established a new dynasty, known as the Merovingian, which lasted for nearly 300 years. <ref> James, pgs. 65-67</ref>

The Merovingian Dynasty continued successfully until a new dynasty arose through the marriage of two of the most influential Franks’ children. In the seventh century, Pippin, who was the Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia, married his daughter to the son of Arnulf of Metz's son, which resulted in a new Frankish dynasty known as the Carolingian Dynasty. The dynasty regime acquired its name from Charles Martel (ruled 718-741), who famously drove the Islamic Moors from France and back into Spain in 732. <ref> James, p. 90</ref> Although there were many noteworthy Carolingian kings, none were more so than Charlemagne.

After Charlemagne assumed the Carolingian throne, he wasted no time instituting his ambitious plan to bring his kingdom out of the Dark Ages. Among the more important essential acts Charlemagne did early in his rule was the conquest and forced conversion of the Saxons in 785. For his efforts to spread Christianity in Europe, Pope Leo III rewarded Charlemagne by crowning him the “Holy Roman Emperor,” which became a title held by dozens of German kings during the Middle Ages. The emperor was also instrumental in reviving Hellenic ideas, promoting education and learning, and also even his efforts to establish a reliably functioning government bureaucracy. : <ref> Jotischky, Andrew, and Caroline Hall. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0141014490/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0141014490&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=72311ee7c9bedf8e3a0ab07576c5fb48 The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Medieval World].</i> (London: Penguin Books, 2005), p. 26</ref> One does not have to look far to see the influences Charlemagne left in medieval Europe, but often overlooked are the many economic ideas he advocated.

====Frankish Economic Ideas before Charlemagne====Before Charlemagne came to power, his Frankish ancestors were already noted for some of their far-sighted economic policies. Among those policies was the transition from using gold coins to silver coins for most day to day financial transactions in the 660s. The use of silver proved to be much more conducive for commercial transactions, which were increasing due to the Franks’ promotion of trade and commercial activities. The Frankish kings encouraged the establishment of market towns and trade fairs so that around . Around the time silver became the standard coin currency, a thriving early free -market economy was also alive and well, which Charlemagne took controlof. <ref> James, p. 85</ref>

====Charlemagne’s Economic Policies====

Although the Carolingian Empire was a source of stability in the early Middle Ages and its economy was a big part of that, it was still an underdeveloped economy. Generally speaking, underdeveloped economies are comprised of comprise four sectors – industry, commerce, monetary, and agriculture – which often overlap, at least they did in terms of regarding the Carolingian economy. <ref> Misbach, Henry L. “The Balanced Economic Growth of Carolingian Europe: Suggestions for a New Interpretation.” <i>Journal of Interdisciplinary History</i> 3 (1972) p. 264</ref> As will be outlined below, Charlemagne focused his resources on creating this balanced economy, which eventually allowed the wool industry to dominate northern Europe’s economy in the High Middle Ages. <ref> Misbach, p. 266</ref> <dh-ad/> Regarding monetary policies, since the Carolingian economy was still underdeveloped, Charlemagne pursued a simple policy by modern standards. Charlemagne benefited from circumstances outside of his control, though, as a large amount of silver was introduced to the Carolingian economy through trade with the Norse/Vikings from Russia, who had “liberated” large amounts from the Abbasid Empire in the Middle East. The emperor used silver injection into the economy, which was the equivalent of a modern “stimulus,” to fund ambitious building projects such as the numerous cathedrals that are still standing across western Europe. <ref> James, p. 99</ref>  As the large amounts of silver poured into the Carolingian Empire in the late eighth century, Charlemagne realized that the coins, as well as the commodities they were used to purchase, needed to be standardized to prevent counterfeiting, fraud, and the black market. Charlemagne established royal mints and a system by which all coins were minted according to a mean weight, both of which drastically cut down on counterfeiting. <ref>Mishkimin, Harry A. “Two Reforms of Charlemagne? Weights and Measures in the Middle Ages.” <i>Economic History Review</i> 20 (1967) p. 37</ref> Along with standardizing the weight of the silver coins, Charlemagne also introduced standards of the denomination. For instance, twenty shillings equaled one pound, and twelve pence was equal to one shilling, which remained the standard in most of Europe well into the thirteenth century. The emperor also introduced severe penalties for counterfeiting and refusals to accept officially minted money. <ref> Misbach, p. 268</ref>

In terms One of monetary policies, since the unintended adverse side effects of the injection of so much silver into the Carolingian economy was still underdeveloped, Charlemagne pursued a policy that was simple by modern standardsinflation. Charlemagne benefited from circumstances outside Since the circulation of his control, thoughmoney increased, as a large amount of silver was introduced prices naturally began to rise during the Carolingian economy through trade with middle of Charlemagne’s rule. To combat the Norse/Vikings from Russiainflationary cycle, who had “liberated” large amounts from Charlemagne introduced price controls for grain and other food products at the Abbasid Empire Synod of Frankfurt in 794. Although the Middle Eastemperor may not have had a Ph.D. The emperor used in economics from the injection University of silver into Chicago, he knew that the economy, which price increases would continue and eventually become unmanageable unless something was either done about the equivalent of a modern “stimulus,” to fund ambitious building projects such as money supply or the numerous cathedrals that are still standing across western Europecommodity prices. <ref> JamesMisbach, p. 99271</ref> Charlemagne’s price controls eventually allowed the money supply to return to a manageable level, and the economy was able to self-correct.

As Like his Frankish ancestors, Charlemagne saw the large amounts importance in fostering trade within his realm. The emperor continued with his predecessors’ policies of silver poured into promoting trade fairs and towns but then took things to the next logical level by expanding trade to neighboring kingdoms. Slaves, wine, grains, and handmade goods were exported from the Carolingian Empire in along the late eight century, Charlemagne realized that Rhine River to the coinsNorth and Baltic seas, as well as the commodities where they were used to purchase, needed to be standardized arrived in order such places to prevent counterfeiting, fraud, the north as London and Sweden. The trade network helped to revitalize the black market. Charlemagne established royal mints depressed economic conditions of former Roman territories of the west and north and a system by brought regions such as Scandinavia, which all coins were minted according to a mean weight, both was not part of which drastically cut down on counterfeiting. <ref>Mishkiminthe Roman Empire, Harry Ainto this new system. “Two Reforms of Charlemagne? Weights also developed a regular trade with the Byzantine Empire to the east and Measures the various Islamic dynasties in North Africa and the Middle AgesNear East.” <iref>Economic History Review</i> 20 (1967) Misbach, p. 37267</ref> Along with standardizing The creation of a widespread trade network was remarkable, but it would not have been possible without technological advances made in the agricultural sector during the weight Carolingian Empire.[[File: Karl_Aachen_Rathaus.jpg|200px|thumbnail|left|Statue of Charlemagne at Aachen]]When the silver coinsCarolingian Empire came to power, Charlemagne most western European peasants were still using Roman era farming methods and technologies. Not only were most of these methods and technologies outdated and extremely labor-intensive, but they were also introduced standards better adapted to the longer growing seasons of denominationthe Mediterranean basin. For instance, twenty shillings equaled one pound and twelve pence was equal to one shilling, which remained Two of the standard most important technological advances in most farming made during the Carolingian Empire were the invention of Europe well into the thirteenth century. The emperor also introduced severe penalties for counterfeiting heavy wheeled moldboard plow and refusals to accept officially minted moneythe modern horse harness. <ref> Misbach, p. 268</ref> These innovations helped make farming less labor-intensive, which meant that an individual could work either more land or more time could be dedicated to other pursuits. Along with these agricultural inventions, Charlemagne and the Carolingians began to view farming in a much different and more efficient way than the Romans did.

One of Toward the unintended negative side effects latter part of Charlemagne’s reign, the injection of so much silver into the Carolingian economy three-field crop system was inflation. Since there was so much money in circulation, the prices naturally began introduced to rise during the middle of Charlemagne’s rulewestern Europe. In order to combat the inflationary cyclesystem, Charlemagne introduced price controls for grain and other food products at farmers would leave every third field fallow to replenish the Synod of Frankfurt nutrients in 794the soil. Although Western European farmers soon learned that the emperor may not have had technique was a PhD significant improvement on the Roman two-field system as they could get two harvests per year, even in economics from the University colder climates of Chicagothe north. For example, barley, oats, he knew that the price increases or legumes would continue and eventually become unmanageable unless something was either done about be harvested in the money supply fall, while barley, wheat, or rye was harvested in the commodity pricesspring. <ref> MisbachJotischky and Hull, p. 27175</ref> Charlemagne’s price controls eventually allowed The three-field system was so successful that it was common well into the money supply to return to a manageable level modern period throughout Europe and was duplicated in other areas of the economy was able to self-correctworld.

Like his Frankish ancestors, ====Conclusion====Emperor Charlemagne saw the importance in fostering trade within is rightly remembered for his realmmany accomplishments that made him one of Europe's greatest monarchs. The emperor continued with his predecessors’ policies of promoting trade fairs and towns, but then took things Charlemagne brought stability back to Europe after the next logical level by expanding trade to neighboring kingdoms. Slaves, wine, grains, and hand made goods were exported from collapse of the Carolingian Roman Empire along the Rhine River to the North and Baltic seas where they arrived in such places to essentially provided a bridge from the north Hellenic Civilization into what is known as London and SwedenWestern Civilization. The trade network helped to revitalize the depressed economic conditions of former Roman territories emperor did this through force of arms and by allying with the west and north and brought regions such Church, but almost as Scandinavia, which important were not part of the Roman Empire, into this new systemeconomic policies he instituted. Charlemagne also developed regular trade with the Byzantine Empire promoted a sound economic policy that resulted in a balanced economy that was able to withstand the east and vicissitudes of the various Islamic dynasties in North Africa Dark Ages. By promoting both local and the Near East. <ref> Misbachlong-distance trade, p. 267</ref> The creation of installing a widespread trade network was truly remarkablesound monetary policy, and introducing new agricultural techniques and technologies, but it would not have been possible without technological advances that were made in Charlemagne brought western Europe out of the agricultural sector during Dark Ages and into the Carolingian Empiremedieval period.

When the Carolingian Empire came to power, most western European peasants were still using Roman era farming methods and technologies. Not only were most of these methods and technologies outdated and extremely labor intensive, they were also better adapted to the longer growing seasons of the Mediterranean basin. Two of the most important technological advances in farming that were made during the Carolingian Empire were the invention of the heavy wheeled moldboard plow and the modern horse harness. <refyoutube> Misbach, phttps://www. 268youtube.com/watch?v=J34_Qog2O8kM</refyoutube> These innovations helped to make farming less labor intensive, which meant that either more land could be worked by an individual or more time could be dedicated to other pursuits. Along with these agricultural inventions, Charlemagne and the Carolingians began view farming itself in a much different and more efficient way than the Romans did.

Toward the latter part of Charlemagne’s reign, the three-field crop system was introduced to western Europe. In the system, farmers would leave every third field fallow in order to replenish the nutrients in the soil. Western European farmers soon learned that the technique was a big improvement on the Roman two-field system as they were able to get two harvests per year, even in the colder climates of the north. For example, barley, oats or legumes would be harvested in the fall, while barley, wheat, or rye was harvested in the spring. <ref> Jotischky and Hull, p. 75====References====<references/ref> The three-field system was so successful that it was common well into the modern period throughout Europe and was duplicated in other areas of the world.

===Conclusion===The Emperor Charlemagne is rightly remembered for his many accomplishments that made him one of the greatest monarchs in European history. Charlemagne brought stability back to Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire and essentially provided a bridge from the Hellenic Civilization into what is known as Western Civilization. The emperor did this through force of arms and by forging an alliance with the ChurchUpdated, but almost as important were the economic policies he instituted. Charlemagne promoted a sound economic policy that resulted in a balanced economy that was able to withstand the vicissitudes of the Dark Ages. By promoting both local and long-distance tradeSeptember 22, installing a sound monetary policy, and introducing new agricultural techniques and technologies, Charlemagne brought western Europe out of the Dark Ages and into the medieval period2021.