Germany 979 CE

What is happening in Germany in 979CE

The German tribes were conquered by the Franks under Charlemagne at the end of the 8^th century, and – often forcibly – Christianized. After Charlemagne, the Germans came under the rule of his descendants, the kings of the East Franks.

When the Carolingian line of East Frankish kings died out, in 919, the German dukes elected one of their number, Henry of Saxony, as their king (reigned 919-936). Henry and his son Otto (reigned 936-973) campaigned with great success, defeating the Magyars, expanding the East Frank realm in this region and conquering a large part of Italy. In 962, Otto had himself crowned emperor in Rome, by the pope. He thus founded that political entity known to European history as the Holy Roman Empire.

The expansion of the Holy Roman Empire eastward is accompanied by the expansion of that branch of the Christian Church headed by the pope. Wherever the frontier advances into pagan territory – and sometimes ahead of it – the Church sets up bishoprics, and brings previously heathen peoples within the fold of Christendom.

Next map, Germany in 1215