[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":24},["ShallowReactive",2],{"zoom:p4ch12z2:en":3},{"period":4,"chapter":14,"zoom":17},{"id":5,"title":6,"titleEn":6,"titleEs":7,"range":8,"rangeEn":8,"rangeEs":8,"cover":9},"p4","Early Middle Ages","Alta Edad Media","476 → 987",{"fileName":10,"filePageUrl":11,"imageUrl":12,"sourceLabel":13},"François Louis Dejuinne 08265 baptême de CLovis.JPG","https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fran%C3%A7ois%20Louis%20Dejuinne%2008265%20bapt%C3%AAme%20de%20CLovis.JPG","/assets/p4-haut-moyen-age-cover.png","Wikimedia Commons",{"id":15,"title":16},"p4ch12","Charlemagne: Inherit, Conquer, Scale Up (768–814)",{"id":18,"title":19,"chapterId":15,"html":20,"hasEn":21,"isFallback":22,"seoDescription":23},"p4ch12z2","774: Defeat the Lombards, Protect Rome","\u003Cp>The alliance between the Carolingians and the papacy draws Frankish kings into Italian politics. In \u003Cstrong>774\u003C/strong>, Charlemagne intervenes against the \u003Cstrong>Lombards\u003C/strong> and transforms relations between the Franks, Rome, and Italy.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🏛️ Why Italy matters\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Since Pepin, Rome is a central political and religious partner. Protecting the pope means:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>strengthening sacred legitimacy\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>stabilising an ally at the heart of western networks\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>placing Carolingian power on a horizon broader than Gaul\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🧷 773–774: from diplomacy to the siege of Pavia\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>At the end of Pepin’s reign, a peaceful arrangement with the Lombards still seems possible. Charles also tries diplomacy: he marries \u003Cstrong>Desiderata\u003C/strong>, daughter of Lombard king \u003Cstrong>Desiderius\u003C/strong>. But marriage is not enough: Lombard pressure on Rome continues.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>In \u003Cstrong>773\u003C/strong>, at the pope’s request, Charlemagne crosses the Alps, besieges \u003Cstrong>Pavia\u003C/strong>, and quickly occupies much of the Lombard kingdom. The city falls in \u003Cstrong>774\u003C/strong>, ending the independent Lombard kingdom.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Charlemagne adopts a new status: \u003Cstrong>king of the Franks and of the Lombards\u003C/strong>, anchoring Carolingian monarchy durably in Italy.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>⚔️ A change of status\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Defeating the Lombards is not merely “winning a war”. It means the Frankish king becomes a major power in Italy. This geographic shift prepares an evolution: Charlemagne is no longer only one king among others — he becomes a continental arbiter.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Italy is not absorbed as a single bloc: some principalities keep margins of autonomy but must provide \u003Cstrong>hostages\u003C/strong> or accept dependence. Later, in \u003Cstrong>781\u003C/strong>, Charlemagne entrusts his son \u003Cstrong>Pepin of Italy\u003C/strong> (born Carloman) with a royal function in Italy, under his control.\u003C/p>\n\u003Chr>\n\u003Ch2>🧠 Key takeaways\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>774 anchors Charlemagne in Italy.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>The alliance with Rome serves strategy as much as legitimacy.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Victory over the Lombards prepares the idea of an imperial‑scale power.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n",true,false,"The alliance between the Carolingians and the papacy draws Frankish kings into Italian politics. In 774 , Charlemagne intervenes against the Lombards and",1778543119634]