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==Origins==

==Origins==

The origins of the Holy Roman Empire lie with the [[Carolingian]] empire founded by the Frankish Emperor [[Charlemagne]]. After the death in 840 of Charlemagne's son and successor, [[Louis the Pious]], the Frankish Empire fell into civil war among the three sons of Louis, [[Lothair]], [[Charles the Bald]] and [[Louis the German]]. At the [[Treaty of Verdun]] in 843, the three sons agreed to split the Empire in three parts and divide them among themselves.  

The origins of the Holy Roman Empire lie with the [[Carolingian]] empire founded by the Frankish Emperor [[Charlemagne]]. The [[Catholic]] Charlemagne, after conquering much of the area which would become the Holy Roman Empire, ushered in a sort of subtle Renaissance in the Frankish kingdom; he introduced standardized measurement and educational systems, introduced a common currency and written language, and patronized architecture meant to be reminiscent of [[Ancient Rome]]. [[Pope]] Leo III, seeing that Charlemagne had managed to introduce a level of prosperity to his kingdom little scene in Europe since the heyday of the Roman Empire, and pleased that he had done so in a [[Christian]] context, declared the Frankish kingdom to be the Catholic reincarnation of Rome. On [[Christmas]] day in the year 800, Leo formally crowned Charlemagne "Holy Roman Empire", and thus dubbed his territories the "Holy Roman Empire". Unfortunately, this prosperity was not to last. After the death in 840 of Charlemagne's son and successor, [[Louis the Pious]], the Frankish Empire fell into civil war among the three sons of Louis, [[Lothair]], [[Charles the Bald]] and [[Louis the German]]. At the [[Treaty of Verdun]] in 843, the three sons agreed to split the Empire in three parts and divide them among themselves.

Louis the German gained the eastern part of the Empire, and was made King of East Francia. In 962, his descendant [[Otto I]] inherited the Imperial crown as the last surviving heir of the Carolingian dynasty. At this point, the Kingdom of East Francia became the Holy Roman Empire, although this name was not common until later centuries.

Louis the German gained the eastern part of the Empire, and was made King of East Francia. In 962, his descendant [[Otto I]] inherited the Imperial crown as the last surviving heir of the Carolingian dynasty. At this point, the Kingdom of East Francia became the Holy Roman Empire, although this name was not common until later centuries.