The Royal Frankish Annals: 749

The Royal Frankish Annals

Bishop Burchard of Wurzburg and the chaplain Fulrad approached Pope Zacharias and questioned whether the Frankish kings should possess royal power. Pepin was then commanded by virtue of Pope Zacharias' apostolic authority to be made king of the Franks in the city of Soissons.

This episode in the Royal Frankish Annals is a great example that shows the growing importance of Christianity and religion during the early Medieval Ages. Pope Zacharias appointed Pepin to be king because he wanted to "avoid turning the country upside down." According to the custom of the Franks, Pepin was anointed by the Archbishop Boniface. In a later episode, Pope Stephen requested that King Pepin defend the pope and the Roman Church against the Lombards. Upon King Pepin's acceptance, Pope Stephen confirmed Pepin as king and anointed his two sons, Charles and Carloman. For the next several episodes, King Pepin's main focus was to embark on campaigns, seeking protection for members of the Church. This shows a deep connection between battle, religion, and kingship. During the Medieval Ages, Kings fought in wars to either protect something of high moral value to them or to capture and take over new kingdoms. This was one of the most consistent key values throughout the entire series of chronicles.

In conclusion, early Medieval Christianity is a model of kingship, coming in through justifications of selfish acts. King Pepin was appointed because the Pope wanted political protection for his religion. Despite the fact that kingship existed before Christianity, this act of religious approval for the anointment of a king was validated by the Franks because it was their custom. Frankish kingship was very much related to the Roman council and being a successful war chief. Pepin was a good example of the typical king during the early Medieval Ages, because he vowed to carry out his duties while