Would you say Charlemagne was an effective ruler?

Question:

Would you say Charlemagne was an effective ruler?

Would you say the political system of Charlemagne (i.e. dividing up the land among his counts / nobles, and sending out missi dominici) was effective?

In my textbook, it says it was highly ineffective, since the empire was too large for Charlemagne to have much power over local areas, and the government was family-oriented and corrupt. And this precarious politics was what led to the decline of the Carolingian empire after his death.

However, searching online, it appears Charlemange's political organization was pretty effective.

So, to sum my questions up:

1) Would you say Charlemagne's politcial organization was effective?
2) What led to the decline of the Carolingian empire?

Thanks in advance!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Charlemagne was a much more effective ruler than his predecessors, the Merovingians, had been in governing. Both of Charlemagne's grandfather and father had served as the Mayors at the Merovingian court, until Charles father Pepin III deposed the last weakling Merovingian king.

With an administrative background, Charlemagne was adequately prepared for power when he succeded his father, Pepin. Also like his father and grandfather, Charlemagne had the support of the powerful Catholic Church, through their endeavours against the Lombards which threatened the papacy in Rome.

Having the political support of the Catholic Church was a significant factor for Charlemagne's effective rule over his territories. By 800 A.D, the Catholic Church had managed to spread its influence throughout northern europe, establishing monasteries in which the local elites were recruited by the early church. The rich and powerful sent their sons to learn latin and writing, where in a church 'career' they would one day become a bishop.

While corruption would always be a problem in an Empire spreading the length of Charlemagne's empire where local nobles and officials could set themselves up as little kings, especially considering how far the capital Aachen was away from the centre of the Empire - the role of the Missi Dominci was effective - because they arrived unannounced and became the eyes and ears of Charlemagne.

While the Missi Dominci could not be every where at once, the element of surprise kept officials on their toes, knowing the fate that awaited them if they were caught. Also, local nobles really could not challenge the power of Charlemagne without the support of the Church. The support of the Church was crucial for any local lord or noble to hold power. Local monasteries and Churches became the eyes and ears not only of the Catholic bishops, but also became the eyes for Charlemagne. Local nobles behaving badly would be reported by local bishops.

Why did the Carolingian Empire Decline? One of the traditions of the Salian Franks is that on the death of the father, the territory would be divided up amongst his sons. When Charlemage died, leaving his two sons Louis (the Pious) and Carolman (who died not long after), Louis inherited the entire empire - leaving it intact.

However, Louis had 2 sons - upon whom on Louis's own death divided the empire amongst them. The division of the territory quickly established what would become the modern states of France and Germany.

While the eldest inherited the tite of Holy Roman Emperor, this did not stop the other sons from contesting the territory and family quarrells, tearing the Empire apart until the Carolingian line died out or were replaced by effective nobles, just as the Merovingians had been replaced.