History Extra podcast Carolingians in crisis: the medieval civil war that shaped Europe
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Jan 29, 2025 
Matthew Gabriele, a professor and co-author of "Oathbreakers," and David M. Perry, also co-author of the same work, delve into the tumultuous legacy of the Carolingians. They discuss the brutal Battle of Fontenoy in 841 AD, pitting Charlemagne’s grandsons against each other. The conversation explores the fragile power dynamics, the church's role in the conflict, and how these medieval struggles shaped modern European identities. Their insights reveal the complicated aftermath of a fractured empire.
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Fontenoy: An Unlikely Battlefield
- The Battle of Fontenoy, a seemingly insignificant village, became the site of a major civil war battle in 841 AD.
- This battle involved Charlemagne's grandsons fighting over the empire's future.
Carolingian Collapse
- The Carolingian empire, reaching its peak under Charlemagne, surprisingly collapsed within two generations.
- This rapid decline highlights the inherent instability despite the Franks' narrative of unity.
A Question of Power, Not Overthrow
- The Battle of Fontenoy wasn't about overthrowing Emperor Lothar.
- It centered on the extent of Lothar's power and control over the territories within the empire.
