In this engaging discussion, Professor Matthew Gabriele, co-author of 'Oathbreakers,' joins historian David Musgrove to shed light on the Carolingian Empire's pivotal role in shaping medieval Europe. They delve into the complex legacy of rulers like Charles Martel and Charlemagne, exploring the nuanced reality of the Carolingian Renaissance. The conversation also tackles the reinterpreted Battle of Tours and the fascinating political alliance between Charlemagne and the Islamic Caliph Harun al-Rashid, showcasing the empire's rich history and cultural impact.
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Carolingian Overview
The Carolingians were a Frankish dynasty ruling from the 8th to 10th/11th centuries.
They built a vast European empire through assimilation and strategic alliances.
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Franks vs. Carolingians
All Carolingians were Franks, but not all Franks were Carolingians.
The Carolingians expanded their power by allowing others to identify as Franks.
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Carolingian vs. Holy Roman Empire
The Carolingian Empire and the Holy Roman Empire are distinct entities.
The Holy Roman Empire, starting in the 12th century, drew inspiration from Charlemagne's legacy.
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The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe
Matthew Gabriel
Dr. David M. Perry
Oathbreakers is the dramatic history of the brutal, turbulent time of the Carolingian Civil War. Medieval historians David M. Perry and Matthew Gabriele illuminate what happens when a once unshakeable political and cultural order breaks down and long suppressed tensions flare into deadly violence. Drawn from rich primary sources, the book features a wide cast of characters and is packed with dramatic twists and turns, rivaling the greatest fictional epics. It explores the consequences of disagreeing on facts and reality, the sacredness of royal oaths, and the bloody conflicts that shaped the trajectory of medieval Europe.
The early medieval Carolingian empire played a crucial role in the development of Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Though the dynasty itself was not that long-lived, it was star-studded with famous rulers such as Charles Martel and Charlemagne, and its legacy stretched far and wide. In this 'everything you want to know' episode, Professor Matthew Gabriele speaks to David Musgrove to answer listener questions about this influential Frankish empire.
(Ad) Matthew Gabriele is the co-author with David M Perry of Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe (HarperCollins, 2025). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oathbreakers-Brothers-Shattered-Empire-Medieval/dp/0063336677/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.
The Carolingian king Lothar II was embroiled in a scandal that destroyed his reign and ended his kingdom – Professor Charles West shares the story: https://link.chtbl.com/v2GgAvSP.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.
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