The Game of Thrones Behind the Carolingian Renaissance: How West Francian Monarchs Shaped Kingship Through Culture
In West Francia in the ninth century, the church was an important pillar in maintaining the sanctity of royal power.
Monarchs sought the approval of the pope to govern the country in the name of God.
For example, the alliance between Charles II (known as Charles the Bald) and the Pope is a manifestation of the sanctity of royal power.
The coronation of the pope is not just a religious ceremony, but also a public recognition of the divine power of the monarch.
In the socio-political life of West Francia in the mid-ninth century, the use of religious symbols played a key role in strengthening the power of the monarchy.
As a heaven-sent treasure, the holy relic not only has the supreme religious value, but also the material carrier of the sacredness of royal power.
These relics, including but not limited to the crown of the Holy Spirit and the holy sword, are not only symbols of power, but also physical evidence of the monarch's connection with divinity.
For example, the crown of the Holy Spirit symbolizes God's authority over the monarch, while the holy sword represents the monarch's ability and responsibility to carry out the will of God.
The use of sacred relics in royal rituals is particularly significant.
The coronation ceremony is a prime example of this, with the king wearing the crown of the Holy Spirit and holding the holy sword in his hand, such a ceremony not only marks the beginning of his reign, but is also a symbol of divine authority.
Through these religious symbols, the monarch not only visually demonstrated his dominance, but also gained spiritual and religious legitimacy, deeply rooted in the hearts and minds of the people.
On the cultural level, the Renaissance of Charlemagne's time did not end with his death, and this cultural movement, driven by its successors, continued to flourish and became known as the "Carolingian Renaissance".
The kings continued to support the establishment of monasteries and schools, promoting the revival of Latin literature and classical learning, while promoting the art of writing and the decorative arts of books.
By integrating Christian teachings into everyday life, the Carolingian Renaissance allowed education and culture to be not confined to religious circles, but also influenced secular society.
Recognizing the power of knowledge and culture, the monarchs of this period worked to establish a learned court and education system.
They funded scholars and poets, and through the works of these cultural producers, such as poetry, hymns, and historiography, the image of the monarch was culturally elevated.
This not only enhanced the cultural legitimacy of the monarchy, but also linked royal power to wisdom and the authority of the church, thus establishing a sacred, educator-like image in the minds of the people.
The enactment and enforcement of laws was the backbone of the crown in consolidating its secular control.
The kings of this time not only adhered to the legacy of Roman law and committed to maintaining its legal system, which has been widely circulated for centuries, but also paid special attention to canon law.
This is because canon law not only provided the king with a tool for governance, but was also an important source of his divine authority.
Kings knew that by integrating the principles of Roman law and canon law, they could strengthen the universality and transcendence of royal power.
In addition to this, the kings paid special attention to the development and updating of local methods.
By means of specific decrees regulating and determining land tenure, regulating public order, and formulating tax policies, the crown demonstrated its detailed control over all aspects of secular life.
These decrees, often in the form of declarations or edicts, covered civil, criminal, and administrative matters, and were intended to establish the central role of the king in the governance of society.
In terms of the rectification of the feudal system, the West Frankish kings of the ninth century distributed power through the fiefdom system, and the state power structure was decentralized to the local level.
Princes and knights gained the right to use the land through their allegiance to the king, and their loyalty was ensured through the oath system.
The establishment and maintenance of this dependency relationship enabled the king to regulate feudal obligations and services through a series of local decrees, strengthened the control and management of the feudal system, and ensured that the feudal system could effectively support the structure of royal power.
The establishment and maintenance of military power was a direct manifestation of the king's secular power.
Under the leadership of the king, the military organization of West Francia was strengthened, and the regularization and professionalization of the army gradually took shape.
Not only did the kingdom's army have to face external threats, such as Viking infestation, but it also had to maintain order and authority at home and prevent internal strife among feudal lords.
In wars and conquests, military might became an important manifestation of the secular foundations of royal power.
The kings further consolidated their dominance through military conquest and suppression.
With these measures, the West Frankish kings of the mid-ninth century strengthened their royal power not only in theory but also in practice.
The enactment and implementation of laws, the rectification of the feudal system, and the establishment of military power together formed a solid foundation of their secular power.
The royal power also strengthened its authority through various political ceremonies, such as coronations, court meetings, banquets, etc.
Through these rituals, the sacred and secular attributes of kingship were revealed and strengthened.
The openness and grandeur of the ceremony deepened the impression of royal power in the hearts of the people and became a demonstration of legitimacy.
