Charlemagne - King of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor

Charlemagne (742-814), also recognized as Carolus Magnus or Charles the Fantastic, was King of the Franks (771-814) and the Western Emperor (or Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (800-814). He was also the greatest ruler of the Carolingian Dynasty.

When we say that he ruled the Franks, we imply that he ruled the region that is now France, Belgium, the Netherlands and component of Germany. When we say that he ruled the Holy Roman Empire, we imply that he ruled France, Belgium, the Netherlands, all of Germany, and northern Spain. Therefore he ended up ruling most of Christian Western Europe.

Throughout his reigns, Charlemagne was frequently at war against neighboring Christian kingdoms: he defeated the Saxons (772-804), he subdued and was crowned king of the Lombards of northern Italy (773-774) and he fought against the Moors (Arabs) in Spain (778).

In the battles against the Moors at Roncevalles, Spain, one of Charlemagne's warriors, Roland, was killed heroically in battle. This inspired the Good poem, the Chanson de Roland.

Charlemagne spent the remaining years of his reigns consolidating his military gains. He founded a capital and royal court at Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) in what is now Germany.

Charlemagne forced the peoples he conquered to turn out to be Christians. For instance, in 785, he prescribed death for any of the Saxons he conquered who refused to be baptized. For this cause, he gained the help of Pope Leo III, who gave him the imperial title of the Holy Roman Emperor. Charlemagne was crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day 800.

Interestingly, in spite of his wars against the Moors in Spain, Charlemagne was to keep friendly relations with Muslim nations in the East. In 798 the caliph of Baghdad, Harun al-Rashid, sent ambassadors to Charlemagne bearing a celebrated present of a white elephant.

Charlemagne's strategy of governing his empire was to divide it amongst his counts and bishops, who each and every provided each land and the energy to handle the lives of the people who lived on that land. These counts and bishops in turn had to pledge allegiance to the emperor and fight for him in battle. This approach of government, referred to as feudalism, prevailed all over Europe till the time of the French Revolution.

Charlemagne presided over a revival of finding out in his realms, that has generally been termed the Carolingian Renaissance. He promoted education, architecture, the arts, manufacturing, commerce, greater administration and Wonderful laws.

Education was promoted through Latin mastering taught at cathedral and monastic schools. Notable architectural achievements incorporated lovely new palaces and churches.

Many of the greatest scholars of the age, such as the Anglo-Saxon, Alcuin of York, have been invited to come to Charlemagne's court at Aachen. Liturgical and scriptural texts have been purified and appeared in new editions. Charlemagne himself knew Latin and Greek and wrote letters and poems that have survived to this day.

Charlemagne's life and achievements had been renowned in his day and became the topic of legends and literary operates.

For additional data on Charlemagne, study the report at http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/C/CHA/charlemagne.html

David Paul Wagner writes on history, politics and existing affairs.