Inspired by https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=141755
Pepin's carefully orchestrated promotion is derailed somehow. He loses the confidence of the nobility, who first depose him, then dissolve into factional war. In the aftermath, the merovingian dynasty comes back to full power. The office of mayor becomes a function of the royal household, usually given to the crown prince.
More importantly, the new regime repudiates the carolingian policy towards Rome. After all, it was the pope who had encouraged Pepin's attack on Frankia's sacred monarchy, why should he get any frankish support in the future? In fact, as the spin puts it, Pepin and his family had made the franks into lackeys at the back and call of papal Rome, whereas the franks of old had held firm against the power of imperial Rome. From now on, when the pope needs help let him call on the lombards or the byzantines.
This means that all of Frankia, not just the eastern portion, will stay with a germanic language.
Eventually a seperate primacy is founded in Aachen. Three eastern primates come to the installation to lay hands on the "heiligvater". The existance of the frankish church blunts the strength of roman missionary activity, so among other things, the columban church survives. There are persistant rumors that the frankish church is tainted with arianism, but that might just be a roman propaganda ploy.
Being more focussed on events north of the Mediterranian, the empire will not hold Provence, but it will probably hold most of Aquitaine. There will also be no Lothar Regnum. The empire has finally learned the folly of the brother divvy, from now on, younger sons only inherit vassalages on the edges, albeit they are free to expand their domains outward.
Any thoughts? Like what happens when the vikings start coming?
Pepin's carefully orchestrated promotion is derailed somehow. He loses the confidence of the nobility, who first depose him, then dissolve into factional war. In the aftermath, the merovingian dynasty comes back to full power. The office of mayor becomes a function of the royal household, usually given to the crown prince.
More importantly, the new regime repudiates the carolingian policy towards Rome. After all, it was the pope who had encouraged Pepin's attack on Frankia's sacred monarchy, why should he get any frankish support in the future? In fact, as the spin puts it, Pepin and his family had made the franks into lackeys at the back and call of papal Rome, whereas the franks of old had held firm against the power of imperial Rome. From now on, when the pope needs help let him call on the lombards or the byzantines.
This means that all of Frankia, not just the eastern portion, will stay with a germanic language.
Eventually a seperate primacy is founded in Aachen. Three eastern primates come to the installation to lay hands on the "heiligvater". The existance of the frankish church blunts the strength of roman missionary activity, so among other things, the columban church survives. There are persistant rumors that the frankish church is tainted with arianism, but that might just be a roman propaganda ploy.
Being more focussed on events north of the Mediterranian, the empire will not hold Provence, but it will probably hold most of Aquitaine. There will also be no Lothar Regnum. The empire has finally learned the folly of the brother divvy, from now on, younger sons only inherit vassalages on the edges, albeit they are free to expand their domains outward.
Any thoughts? Like what happens when the vikings start coming?