Archbishop Ebbo of Reims (816–835): A Study in the Carolingian Empire and Church
Peter R. McKeon
It is almost a commonplace that the ideology and circumstances of Carolingian empire made possible assertion by Frankish episcopacy an increasingly active role in government ninth-century Europe. Restoration ecclesiastical hierarchy begun mid-eighth century Pepin Short completed under his son, emperor Charles, resulted establishment class able men whose common interests were closely bound up with preservation extension imperial structure; reign Charles' successors this group came to be involved more prominently workings empire, as events forty years following death necessitated rapid reinterpretation entity. In process no member played ubiquitous part than did Ebbo, archbishop Reims from 816 until deposition nineteen later. Loyal principles rule while at same time betrayer friendship fealty owed monarch, Ebbo was scholar, builder, missionary, high public official, rebel outcast during career inextricably course transmutations empire. range activities influence paradigm those opportunities tasks open episcopate, history small measure itself church which ninth conceived coextensive, even identical. two histories their interrelations form subject present paper.
Church History