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CHARLEMAGNE 742 - 814 Ruler of the Franks |
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Charlemagne created the first large central European realm and ruled
as emperor from 800 to 814. For a brief time nearly all of Christian
Europe, save England and Scandinavia, was united in the
Frankish
empire.
Carolus Magnus, meaning Charles the Great, was a member of the Carolingian family, the eldest son of Pepin the Younger. Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768. He conquered the Lombards and the pagan Saxons, whom he Christianized. His alliance with the papacy and the papal desire for a western emperor to counter Byzantium led to the coronation of Charlemagne as emperor by pope Leo III in 800. From his palace school in Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) Charlemagne initiated a cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance. His reign was an attempt to consolidate order and Christian culture among the nations of the West, but his empire did not long survive his death, for is sons lacked both his vision and authority. |
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www link : Biography Comprehensive Biography from a catholic website. Life of Charlemagne complete story from the Merovingians to Charlemagne. |