Changing status of the Carolingian rulers: reflections on titulature and legitimacy, from early periods to the death of Charlemagne

Abstract

This thesis is about the changes in the status of the Carolingian rulers from the early times to the end of the reign of Charlemagne. The gradual changes from the office of mayor of palace to king then to emperor are considered with a focus on titular reflections. The data for the titles used are taken from several sources such as diplomatic documents, coins and seals, and the data are classified both chronologically and according to the type of a particular source. The titles extracted are considered in their historical context, supported by narrative sources and secondary literature, to explain the reasons behind the changes. Relations with other political actors such as the Papacy, Byzantium or Lombardy are taken into consideration especially within the context of legitimacy for the changes in the Carolingian rulership along with the titulature.