Concilium Germanicum

council · 742 · Frankfurt

The Concilium Germanicum (742/743), convened by Carloman with Boniface presiding, began the reform of the Frankish church — fixing diocesan order, forbidding clergy the hunt and the sword, and binding the Frankish hierarchy to the Roman mission's standards. Where it met is not known: Haddan & Stubbs print Carloman's capitulary under the heading 'Concilium Germanicum auctoritate Sancti Bonifacii, Ratisbonae vel Augustae Vindelicorum celebratum' — Regensburg or Augsburg, and the heading itself will not choose. The map pins Frankfurt, which is the conventional guess and is not what any text here says. The year, by contrast, is the document's own: the same heading and Carloman's preface under it both date the assembly XI kalendas Maii, anno Domini DCCXLII. What remains genuinely open is 742 against 743.

The Concilium Germanicum was the first major Church synod to be held in the eastern parts of the Frankish kingdoms. It was called by Carloman on 21 April 742/743 at an unknown location, and presided over by Boniface, who was solidified in his position as leader of the Austrasian church. German historian Gunther Wolf judges that the Concilium was the high point in Boniface's long career.

Boniface's reform of the Frankish church under Carloman.

The first great Frankish reform synod: bishops set over sees, clergy discipline restored, Boniface confirmed as archbishop.

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