Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A Frankish dynasty founded by Charlemagne's father that ruled from 751 to 987: The Carlovingian Dynasty, more commonly known as the Carolingian Dynasty, was a European royal house of Frankish origin. It succeeded the Merovingian Dynasty and is most famously associated with the rule of Charlemagne, who was crowned Emperor in 800. The dynasty's rule marked a significant period of cultural and political revival in Western Europe.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Carlovingian Dynasty established a vast empire in Western Europe.
  • Charlemagne, the most famous ruler of the Carlovingian Dynasty, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor.
  • The reign of the Carlovingian Dynasty is often called the Carolingian Renaissance.

Advanced Usage

• "The Carlovingian legacy": Refers to the enduring political, cultural, and religious influence of the dynasty, particularly in shaping medieval European institutions.
  • The legal reforms of the Carlovingian legacy influenced feudal law for centuries.

Variants and Related Words

• Carolingian Dynasty (n): The more common modern spelling and term for the Carlovingian Dynasty. The terms are synonymous.

  • Scholars often use "Carolingian" instead of "Carlovingian."

• Carolingian (adj): Pertaining to the Carlovingian Dynasty, its time period, or its cultural style.

  • Carolingian art is known for its illuminated manuscripts.

• Carolingian Renaissance (n): The period of cultural and intellectual revival during the rule of Charlemagne and his successors.

  • The Carolingian Renaissance promoted learning and the copying of classical texts.

Synonyms

• Carolingian house: Another term for the royal family or dynasty.
• Frankish dynasty of Charlemagne: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its ethnic origin and most famous ruler.

Related Historical Terms

• Merovingian Dynasty (n): The Frankish dynasty that preceded the Carlovingians.

  • The Carlovingian Dynasty took power from the Merovingians.

• Holy Roman Empire (n): The multi-ethnic empire in central Europe, whose title and concept were revived by Charlemagne's coronation.

  • The coronation of Charlemagne is seen as a foundation for the later Holy Roman Empire.

Noun

1. a Frankish dynasty founded by Charlemagne's father that ruled from 751 to 987