Discuss the ways in which Otto I centralized his authority and solidified his empire.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will vary. After defeating the Magyars in 955, Otto was proclaimed emperor as well as king of the Eastern Franks. Seven years later, the pope granted him the title of Holy Roman Emperor, in large part because Otto continued the tradition of Pepin and Charlemagne of acting as a defender of the papacy when it was under attack. However, Otto also went so far as to make bishops into dukes in his own territories; thus making a church official into a secular vassal. Although the pope was not pleased with this, there was little he could do. For Otto, this was an effective strategy because these bishops would not marry, and there would not be the problem of dealing with sons or ensuring loyalty from the next generation. Otto retained the property to pass on to his loyal supporters and ensure their loyalty would not be diverted to their own interests. Otto also had enough authority accrued that he appointed church positions and invoked church councils in his own territories.