Charlemagne (748-814)

Charlemagne (747-814)

Charlemagne and His Guards - plaza in front of Notre-Dame, Paris 

Charlemagne had many titles. He was King of the Franks (r. 768-814), King of the Franks and Lombards (r. 774-814), Holy Roman Emperor (r. 800-814) and was one most influential figures in Europe in the Middle Ages. He was known for his military successes which united most of Western Europe, his educational and ecclesiastical reforms, and his policies which led to the development of future European nations.

The date of Charlemagne's birth is uncertain. He may have been born on 2 April 747 (though some sources say 742) at Aachen (in what is now Germany). Charlemagne was the son of Pepin III who was King of the Franks and Berthe of Laon. Pepin III was mayor of the palace which meant that he had the powerful position of effectively being the ruler of the Franks. When Pepin III died in 768 his land was divided between his sons Charlemagne and Carloman. 

When Carloman died in 771 Charlemagne took over his part of the kingdom, becoming the sole ruler of the Franks. He was known as a warrior king and was prepared to enter battles to defend and extend his territory. In 773 he led an army against the Lombards as requested by Pope Adrian I. The Lombards were defeated in 774 and Charlemagne took over northern Ital and added King of the Lombards to his titles.

Over the years many battles were fought against countries such as Spain, Bavaria and the Saracens in Italy with success in Sardinia, Corsica and the Balearic Islands. Battles were also against the Avars and the Slavs collecting great riches along the way. Charlemagne also fought the Saxons hoping to incorporate Saxon land into Frankish rule. He also planned to convert the Saxons to Christianity. He brought in laws making paganism a capital offence and many people were killed. Charlemagne's aim to overcome the Saxons was finally achieved in 804 - the battles had lasted for 32 years though there had been periods of peace. However peace was short lived as demonstrated by Viking invasions in the years after the death of Charlemagne.

Charlemagne was a religious man who supported Pope Leo III against the Roman persecution. Once back in power, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day 800. 

As well as being a warrior Charlemagne was a diplomat, using diplomacy to maintain the status of his kingdom and borders  and working to make his neighbours allies.

Education was important and he founded a royal library, a palace school and scriptorium at Aachen. In 789 Charlemagne declared that all monasteries should have a school for the education of boys. A new writing system made manuscripts easier to read and copy. His work was part of the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of revival in writing, art and learning in Western Europe. This revival was strong in the period 780 to 900. Numerous monasteries with scriptoria and schools were established at various royal courts - a precursor to the Renaissance, which began in 14th century Italy. He persuaded many eminent scholars to come to his court to establish a new library of Christian and classical works. Charlemagne's intent was to establish a replacement for the Western Roman Empire and encourage learning. Literature, art and architecture were important features of Charlemagne's reign. He was also interested in the culture of other countries.

Coin showing portrait of Charlemagne

Like a number of other leaders at the time, Charlemagne also reorganised the monetary systems in the lands that he ruled including introducing the half denier. This move encouraged rulers in other kingdoms to do the same. Charlemagne introduced administrative reforms throughout the lands he controlled by establishing key representatives in each region and holding a general assembly each year at his court at Aachen. He standardised systems of weights, measures and customs dues, which helped improve commerce and initiated important legal reforms.

Charlemagne also established relationships with leaders of other countries including King Offa of Mercia, England. Both countries wanted to improve trade relationships and also form alliances in order to protect their lands from Viking invasions from across the sea.

Some leaders at the time referred to Charlemagne as 'The Father of Modern Europe'.

Charlemagne died of natural causes in Aachen on 28 January 814. Charlemagne was buried in the cathedral that he had built in Aachen, which the French called Aix-la-Chapelle.

Charlemagne is known to have had four wives during his life -  Desiderata from 770 to 771, Hildegarde to 783, Fastrada to 794 and Liutgard until 800. He also had many concubines during his life. It is believed that he probably had up to 20 children (the records vary but it was a lot) including nine children with Hildegarde and two children with Fastrada. He had four legitimate sons but only Louis (the Pious) was alive to succeed him when he died.

Charlemagne - World History Encyclopedia

Charlemagne - Britannica

So you are related to Charlemagne? - The Guardian 24 May 2015