Events from 750

Pepin asks Pope Zachary about kingship - 'Who should be king, he who has the title or he who has the power?' Pope supports Pepin

Era of 'do-nothing kings' ends - last century of Merovingians were puppets, real power held by Carolingian mayors

Alcuin enters York cathedral school - studies under Aelbert, accesses finest library in Western Europe

Wawel Dragon slain by Krak - dragon under Wawel Hill killed with sheep stuffed with sulfur (Polish chronicles)

Silver shortage across Europe - Roman mines exhausted, coins increasingly debased, barter economy expands