In the early medieval era of the 700s AD, between Charles Martel, who halted the Islamic surge from Spain into Europe, and the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, sits Pepin le Bref (“the short”), first King of the Carolingian dynasty. While his rule sits between his father, one of the greatest generals of the era following the fall of Rome, and his son, one of the greatest European leaders of all time, Pepin’s accomplishments stand on their own as significant in European history.
Why Pepin Might Not Have Been Short at All
Pepin’s description as “the short” was not necessarily due to his physical stature, but may have been due to misunderstandings of language combined with the necessity of distinguishing him from others with similar names.
Pepin the Short is actually Pippin III of his family, after his grandfather Pippin of Herstal and ancestor Pippin of Landin. Before the Carolingians, they belonged to the Pippinid and Arnulfing families, which consistently produced competent leaders under the Merovingian rulers, and eventually supplanted the Merovingians as the Carolingians.
Pippin’s description as “the short” does not appear until 300 years after his rule, and may have come from some language shifts around the word “minor” or “younger” rather than his physical height.
How Pepin Deposed the Merovingians to Become King
When his father, Charles Martel, died, Pepin was given the western part of the Frankish kingdom to rule, while his brother Carloman ruled the eastern portion. They considered their half-brother, Grifo, illegitimate, and the two pushed him out of any inheritance. While it is really unknown whether or not Grifo was to inherit anything beyond a few land holdings, he had ambitions to seize the full kingdom and was besieged by Pepin and Carloman at Laon in 741 AD, where Grifo was captured.
Pepin and Carloman cooperated until 747 AD, when Carloman retired to a monastery. Pepin was left in practical control of the Frankish kingdom under the final Merovingian King Childeric III. At this time, Pepin the Short’s titles were Mayor of the Palace and Duke and Prince of the Franks, but the Kings at that time had little to no actual power, all of it now being vested in the mayor’s position.
Pepin appealed to Pope Zachary regarding the issue of having the power of a king but not the title, and was given permission to depose Childeric. In 751 AD, Pepin did so, sending Childeric to a monastery, and crowned himself as King of the Franks. Grifo would escape and attempt to capture territory again, but Pepin would defeat him at the Battle of Saint-Jean de Maurienne in 753, where Grifo would be killed.
The Donation of Pepin and the Birth of the Papal States
Pepin continued the relationship his father had with Boniface, especially regarding church reforms. Boniface may actually be the one to have placed the crown upon Pepin’s head and anointed him at his coronation as well.
Probably the most significant matter between Pepin and the church was the Donation of Pepin in the 750s. Pepin had responded to the call for aid by Pope Stephen II when the Lombards under Aistulf threatened to invade the Duchy of Rome. Pepin responded by invading the area, forcing Aistulf out, and promised the land to the papacy, effectively establishing the papal states. The Donation resulted in giving the Pope temporal power as a sort of king over a larger region, a result that would have historical implications, particularly throughout the medieval era when the Pope controlled lands and armies through the Papal States.
At his death in 768 AD, Pepin left the kingdom to his sons Carolus (later known as Charlemagne) and Carloman. He had expanded the territory left by his father and strengthened the position of his family, laying the foundation for his son Charles’ greatness to come.
