Final answer:
The Franks were closely connected to the Catholic Church, with leaders like Clovis and the Carolingians supporting and strengthening the Church's influence in the Frankish kingdom and beyond. The correct answer is C) They were strong supporters, with the Frankish rulers often having close ties to the Church.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Franks were strong supporters of the Catholic Church, with Frankish rulers often having close ties to the Church. This is evident from the actions of Clovis, the warrior chieftain who united the Frankish tribes and expanded their territory.
After converting to Catholicism, Clovis worked with Gallo-Roman aristocrats and the clergy to strengthen his kingdom's administration, thus ensuring the continuation of Roman institutions where possible. His actions included convening the first council of Catholic bishops in Orleans, indicating a strong alliance between the Franks and the Catholic Church.
Additionally, the alliance between the Carolingian rulers and the popes further showed the interdependence of the Franks and the Catholic Church. The Donation of Pepin, provided by Pépin le Bref (Pippin the Short), granted lands in Italy to the Pope, legitimizing the Papal States and symbolizing the territorial power of the papacy.
This helped cement the role of the Catholic Church not only as a religious institution but as a central political force within the Frankish empire, and it played a crucial role in shaping the future of Western Europe.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question of how the Franks were connected to the Catholic Church is C) They were strong supporters, with the Frankish rulers often having close ties to the Church.