The Paris Pages

Paris under the Merovingians

What was previously Roman Gaul now became the Frankish kingdom, which was ruled by the Merovingian dynasty. But, although Clovis I established himself in Paris the city didn’t figure greatly as a political power base of the Frankish Kingdom. Paris became even less significant in Frankish affairs after the breakup of the kingdom upon Clovis’ death. The realm was split between his four sons into Austrasia, Burgundy, Aquitania, and Neustria (of which Ile de France and Paris were a part). Therefore Paris was naturally reduced to having importance only in Neustria. Though the four realms maintained some degree of unity the Merovingian years were marked by fratricidal strife and violence.

There were a few noteworthy accomplishments in Paris though. For instance, Genevieve convinced Childeric to let her establish a chapel for St. Denis at the site of his burial. She also persuaded Clovis to build the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which was later renamed Sainte Genevieve du Mont – her final resting place. In addition, in 542 Childebert built the Church of Saint-Vincent, which was inspired by the bishop of Paris, Germain. In 754 it took on it’s present day name of Saint Germain des Pres. Apart from their ostentatious church building program the Merovingian kings were too involved in murderous feuds to take much interest in bringing prosperity to the city. However, one notable exception exists – in 635 Dagobert, when he took a respite from debauchery, established the Fair of Saint Denis. This did much to increase the economic and cultural growth of the city by drawing diverse travelers and merchants from afar. However, by the beginning of the 8th century the Merovingian kings had essentially become useless and were given the name of rois faineants (do-nothing kings). This state of affairs opened the door for the next great dynasty to take control – the Carolingians.

Carolingian Paris

The managing of the Merovingian royal estates was handled by a major domus, or Mayor of the Palace. One of these, Charles Martel, had achieved lasting fame by checking the advance of Islam into France at the battle of Tours in 732. Due to the decadence and utter uselessness of the Merovingians it wasn’t a difficult feat for Martel to simply set the monarchy aside upon the death of Thierry IV. In 754 Martel’s son, Pepin, was crowned king of the Franks at Saint Denis by pope Stephen II. This was another important step towards solidifying the establishment of Christianity in Paris and the Frankish kingdom. It was also the first step in the colorful and often antagonistic dance between church and state that continued over the next millenium. Pepin fathered the renowned Charlemagne, who enlarged the kingdom into the Frankish Empire and then the Holy Roman Empire. However, Charlemagne made Aix-la-Chapelle his capital and Paris was reduced in importance, at least in the political sphere. It was gaining prestige and influence as one of the Empire’s commercial centers though, partly due to the fact that Charlemagne strongly encouraged trade and commerce. Another minor, but very important, change that Charlemagne made was the replacement of the major domus with the office of count, whose duties were local administration and governance. Thus, the count of Paris was responsible for the city and the surrounding area of Ile de France. Within a few centuries the holder’s of this office would affect a lasting change upon the city and France as a whole.

With the economic growth of Paris came the attendant physical growth as well. As ever, the Ile de la Cite remained the heart of Paris with the Grand and Petit Ponts connecting it to the Right and Left Banks. The island saw the Church of Notre-Dame replace the old Gallo-Roman temple and a Hotel Dieu, to treat the sick and poor, was constructed. Governance and law though, were still dispensed from the old Roman Palace of Justice. Hitherto unsettled areas of the Right Bank began to be occupied by villages, churches, markets, and abbeys. The prosperity of the city’s merchants, largely of native Gallo-Roman stock, and the enrichment of the religious orders and churches, through tithing and land holdings, gave these two groups virtual control of the city’s affairs.

The Viking raids on Paris

By the mid ninth century Paris, like much of northwestern Europe, suffered from a disastrous set of events that changed it forever – the scourge of the Vikings. These Northmen were of course seeking plunder, which Paris could amply offer, and over the second half of the century the city suffered under no less than eight Viking raids. Throughout the course of these Viking raids Paris had sought the aid of the Carolingian Emperors to no avail. Emperor Charles the Bald and his successor Charles the Fat were occupied with other empire affairs and paid scant attention to the fate of Parisians in Western Francia. The 885 Viking siege of Paris is the best known ocurence and the one in which Odo, Count of Paris, would shine as the city’s savior. Count Odo provided persevering leadership and saw the people through the siege, flooding, and famine until the Northmen decided to circumvent the city and carry their wrath into Burgundy, further upstream.

A king of their own

The virtual abandonment of the Western Frankish Kingdom and Paris by its Emperor compelled the people to turn to their own devices. Hence, when Charles the Fat died without issue in 888, Count Odo of Paris was chosen by the feudal lords of Francia as their king (after the treaty of Verdun in 843 the Carolingian Empire had been split into three realms; Neustria and Aquitania comprised the western kingdom, which was now referred to as Francia). This change in kingship was not smooth however and over the next one hundred years Francia suffered from sporadic viking raids, usurpers to the throne, and rebellion by feudal lords. However, in 987 Hugh Capet, descended from the family of Count Odo, was chosen as King of Francia. His choice of Paris as capital as well as his coronation at the Cathedral in Reims were significant. Paris became the center, albeit loosely, of the kingdom of Francia and the coronation at Reims became a legitimate kingmaking tradition that lasted into the 19th century.

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• A History of Paris – Part 1