Discuss the shift in power from the Merovingians to the Carolingians. Why did it occur, and how? The two families, Merovingians and the Carolingians governed over a Germanic and Christian people called the Frank’s. The Merovingian family ruled over the Frank’s from the seventh century to the early eight century, and over the years that family had gone corrupt and problems were starting. Some corrupt practices had come into the church. At this time the Carolingian family help the place of the mayor in the palace and were handling the administrations. At this time Pepin the Short sees the need to legitimize his reign, so he askes the pope if it is good that men with the power have no title and the men with the title have no power. The pope says this isn’t good so he blesses the change of dynasty from the Merovingians to the Carolingians.

 What picture of Charlemagne emerges from Einhard’s biography? According to Wikipedia “Einhard was a Frankish scholar and courtier. Einhard was a dedicated servant of Charlemagne and his son Louis the Pious; his main work is a biography of Charlemagne, the Vita Karoli Magni, ‘one of the most precious literary bequests of the early Middle Ages.'” In this biography Charlemagne is described as a ruthless warrior and a great military leader. Basically a role model to the soldiers.