Carolingian Empire

Frankish empire in Europe (800–887)

The Carolingian Empire (800–887) was a Frankish-dominated empire in Western and Central Europe during the Early Middle Ages. It was ruled by the Carolingian dynasty, which had ruled as kings of the Franks since 751 and as kings of the Lombards in Italy from 774. In 800 Pope Leo III crowned King Charlemagne as the Roman emperor in return for political protection, disregarding the universalist claims of the weakened Byzantine Empire.

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