THE LATE MEROVINGIAN ORDER
Hans Hummer
In 751, Pippin III deposed the last Merovingian king, Childeric (743–51), assumed kingship of Franks and, three years later, along with his wife and two sons Charlemagne Carloman, was anointed holy oil when he received sacrament confirmation from Pope Stephen. Few historians now believe that accession Carolingian dynasty abruptly transformed ideological basis Frankish kingship, replacing a formerly pagan, Germanic sacrality Christian one. kings, as their successors, considered themselves responsible for protecting patronizing church, spreading faith. It recently has been argued likely never constituted king by anointing, confirming Pippin's family developed into king-making ceremony only later. Whatever precise circumstances surrounding accession, anointing royal means sacramental ritual imported Rome special relationship to vicar St Peter were perceived be propitious new dynasty, marking culmination process dated previous century aristocratic consciousness emerged in wake Irish missions. As powerful families legitimized through foundation, patronage staffing monasteries, perhaps inevitably, adapted piety elite. contrast Merovingians, Carolingians infused monastic spirituality presided over an empire regulated common assemblies lay ecclesiastical lords.
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