The end of Carolingian military expansion
Timothy Reuter|Janet L. Nelson
It is a commonplace that the expansion of Carolingian empire slowed down rapidly after 800 and came to halt under Louis Pious. also well known both Charles in last years his reign Pious experienced difficulty raising armies. This paper will re-examine these two well-established facts suggest some explanations, continuing lines argument already developed previous article. may be as begin by chronicling end expansion. The crushing Avars 790s was really large aggressive military operation conducted Carolingians; final incorporation Saxons into Frankish empire, marked peace Salz 803 de-Saxonization Transalbingia following year, brought an what Einhard rightly described most serious all wars fought Franks. In period between 802/3 crisis 830 there intermittent warfare on number fronts: south-west against Muslims Spain Basques; north-west Bretons; north-east Danes their Slav allies; south-east Serbs Bulgars; Italy Byzantines Beneventans. addition were invasion scares 800s north French coast, real invasions southern Frisia, skirmishes Mediterranean islands.
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