737–754: From an Empty Throne to Pepin’s Coronation

The end of the Merovingians is not a brutal fall, but a growing mismatch between title and power. In the 8th century, mayors of the palace govern, while Merovingian kings mainly embody an old legitimacy.

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👑 737: a throne left empty

In 737, when Theuderic IV dies, Charles Martel does not name a new king. The choice is a signal: the state can function without an active monarch because the decision centre is no longer at the royal palace.

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⚖️ 741: sharing authority

When Charles dies at Quierzy in 741, power passes to his sons:

• Carloman dominates Austrasia and eastern margins (Alamannia, Thuringia)
• Pepin dominates Neustria and more western sets (Burgundy, Provence)

This is not a “partition of the kingdom” into separate states: it is a distribution of spheres of authority within the same Frankish whole.

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🪞 743: the return of a façade king

To stabilise their authority, the brothers reinstall a Merovingian king, Childeric III (743). He gives traditional form to the political order, but real power remains in Pippinid hands.

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👑 751 and 754: the official birth of the Carolingian dynasty

The break becomes official when Pepin the Short takes the royal title:

• 751: Pepin’s coronation; effective end of Merovingian kingship
• 754: papal consecration, consolidating and legitimising the new dynasty

From then on, the legitimacy of the throne finally matches the reality of power: the Carolingian era can begin.

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🧠 Key takeaways

• 737: Charles shows a kingdom can function without an active king.
• 743: Childeric III restores a Merovingian façade.
• 751/754: Pepin transforms de facto power into recognised royal power.