What happened to the Western Roman Empire?
Following the division of the Roman Empire into two parts, the Byzantine, or Eastern, Empire flourished for centuries. The Western Empire was raided repeatedly by invading barbarians and finally collapsed in AD76. One group of invaders, the Franks, settled in what is now central France. The Frankish king Charlemagne conquered France and extended his rule into Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. He forced his subjects to accept Christianity. In AD800 the pope rewarded him by appointing him Holy Roman Emperor.
Charlemagne’s capital in Aix la Chapelle (modern Aachen, in Germany) was an important centre of learning. After his death, the empire was again torn by war. The Holy Roman Empire, based in Germany, survived from AD962 to 1806.
Who was the real ruler?
By the 10th century AD, the power of the pope throughout Europe was absolute. The Holy Roman Emperor supposedly controlled all of Western Europe. However, when it came to disagreement, the pope had the final say because he could excommunicate the emperor or any king who opposed his wishes. Excommunication was punished of the highest degree.
The Church controlled huge areas of land and became very rich, which antagonized many rulers. The nobles who had control over local areas were often divided in their king or the emperor, and on other occasions siding with the pope if it suited them. The common people were rarely involved or even aware of these disputes, because their immediate problems were how to feed themselves and survive.
Pictures Credit: Google