What defines a king as being successful is a matter subject to opinion, making it considerably difficult to determine success objectively. However, if one focuses upon the stability of the kingdom alongside its progression during a king’s reign then a sense of general success is being obtained. Being a military leader was a significant quality as it is often depicted as being a central factor of both Carolingian and Anglo-Saxon kingship. Whether it was the most important quality for a successful king to possess in Western Europe c.600 to c.900 is debatable. Other factors such as the relationship with the papacy, religion in its own right, and reforms are also significant in enabling a king to be successful. Yet, with careful consideration …show more content…
Pippin was mayor of the palace under Childeric III. Many sources comment on the illusion of power given to the Merovingian kings despite the real power and responsibility lying with the mayor of the palace. ‘Pippin, the mayor of the palace who had waged long and great wars in the king’s name and had crushed the Saxons, concentrated power in his own hands, and did not let slip the opportunity to seize the royal title, especially since the conquering and glorious army was still in its array’. The pope agreed with this idea and deposed Childeric III , the falsely name king, having him tonsured and sent away to a monastery. This ultimately ended the Merovingian dynasty that had been slowly deteriorating. Desiderius followed a similar path, writing to Pope Stephen on becoming king of the Lombards, and after a series of promises to respect Rome he succeeded with papal support, thus further highlighting the power of the papacy. Unfortunately, the support from the pope came at a price that was usually territorial. Desiderius had to get land back for the pope as did Pippin. In fact, a strong relationship with the papacy, especially one that was dependent on security of position as was the case for Pippin , could be seen as a hindrance due to the demands made by the pope and the threat it posed to foreign relations. Charlemagne carried on this intimate relationship with the pope after his father, which continued the Franks involvement in papal affairs especially against the Lombards . So whilst the relationship with the papacy is proving the most important due to its influence upholding kings and upon other factors, we must acknowledge the downside that it may in fact have a reverse