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Charlemagne
Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was born in 742 and died in 814. He became King of the Franks (French) in 768, King of Italy in 774, the first Holy Roman Emperor and the first Emperor in western Europe since the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Charlemagne was the leader of many historical and victorious battles which united much of Europe.
815 Questions
What happened to Charlemagne's empire after the death of his son?
His empire was divided by the Treaty of Verdun (843) after the death of his son, Emperor Louis I , among Louis's three sons. The empire thrived.
Is Roland the vassal of Charlemagne devotional?
No, Roland is a legendary character in French literature known for his heroic actions in the epic poem "The Song of Roland." He is portrayed as a valiant knight and one of Charlemagne's bravest warriors, but he is not typically associated with devotional practices or religious piety in the same way as other saints or religious figures.
What was the importance of Charlemagne being crowned emporer?
What is the importance of Charlemagne?
The pope crowned Charlemagne when Rome had been split into two. West Roman was Catholic and East Roman (Byzantium) was Orthodox. Christianity split and had conflicts with another. Charlemagne was at first hesitant to name himself emperor because that would challenge the Byzantium who believed themselves to be Roman's heirs and wanted their land back.
Charlemagne briefly unifies Europe.
What was Charlemagne's nationality?
Charlemagne was a Frank. The Franks were a German tribe which crossed in Rhine early in the 5th Century and formed a kingdom within the Western Roman Empire, in present day France and northern Spain. The country of France is named after them.
What are Charlemagne's accomplishments?
When Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768, he ruled over what is now France and western Germany. After Charlemagne defeated the Lombards in Italy in 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as the emperor of the Romans. Charlemagne gained control of most of Italy. During Charlemagne's reign, he had nearly doubled the amount of land he controlled and had united much of western and central Europe.
What best describes Charlemagne's goal?
He wanted to restore order to Europe, and to eliminate the Franks.
The coronation of Charlemagne took place where?
Charlemagne was crowned twice, once as King of the Franks, and once as Emperor of the Romans. The first of these coronations took place in Noyon, which is north of Paris. The second coronation was in Rome, in Saint Peter's Basilica.
Charlemagne was married at least four times, possibly more. He had twenty children we know of. For more information, please use the link below.
What was Charlemagne's empire?
Charlemagne united most of Western Europe, including (all or part thereof) modern day France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands. He reigned as King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans - a title given him by the Pope - from 800 until his death in 814, aged approximately 72, which was a very substantial age for the period.
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Charlemagne's empire is usually called the Carolingian Empire today. It was ancestral to both the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire.
There are links below.
Most importantly, Charlemagne defeated the Lombards and the Saxons. He ran campaigns against various other groups, including Slavs, Bavarians, and Spanish Muslims.
Were Arts and learning important in the Age of Charlemagne?
Arts and learning were very important to Charlemagne. He founded schools and made policies designed to make his country literate. The period of his reign is called the Carolingian Renaissance because of the importance of culture in his time.
Charlemagne married at least four times, possibly five. His wives were:
- possibly Himiltrude, of whom little is known, and with whom he had two children
- Desiderata, daughter of King Desiderius of Lombardy, in a marriage that was annuled after a short time
- Hildegard, the daughter of a count of the Alamanni, with whom he had nine children
- Fastrada, a Saxon noble woman who had fought against him in a battle, and with whom he had two children
- Luitgard, a noblewoman of the Alamanni, who died childless
Desiderata is usually counted as his first wife, Hildegard as second, Fastrada third, and Luitgard fourth. There is clearly a fair amount to say on the subject. Please use the link below for information.
What do Charlemagne and Byzantine emperors have in common?
Charlemagne and the Byzantine Emperors ruled countries with the same name, Empire of the Roman People. Since the Byzantines got the name first, they were a bit upset when Charlemagne took it.
Please see the related question below for more information.
What happened to conquered lands after Charlemagne died?
After Charlemagne died, Louis the Pious took the throne and divided the kingdom into three parts to be ruled by his three sons, Charles, Lothair, and Louis. These three sub-kingdoms are now known as France, Italy, and Germany respectively.
What is a timeline for Charlemagne?
742 Charlemagne is born (precise year is unknown, but this seems a best guess)
768 Charlemagne is crowned King of the Franks as co-ruler with his brother Carloman.
770 Charlemagne marries Desiderata, daughter of the King of Lombardy. He divorces her the following year.
771 Charlemagne marries Hildegard, who has nine children and dies in 883.
771 Carloman dies, leaving Charlemagne sole ruler.
774 Charlemagne conquers the Kingdom of Lombardy.
777 to 797, Charlemagne campaigns in Saxony.
778 Charlemagne conquers the Spanish March (though his army loses the Battle of Roncevalles).
780-782 A time of peace.
784 Charlemagne marries Fastrada, a Saxon warrior woman; she has two children and dies in 794.
788 Charlemagne conquers Bavaria and Carinthia.
794 Charlemagne marries Luitgard.
797 Charlemagne captures Barcelona.
799 Charlemagne protects Pope Leo III from his enemies.
800 Charlemagne is crowned Emperor of the Romans (Emperor of the Carolingian Empire) on December 25.
813 Charlemagne crowns his son Louis the Pious as King of the Franks.
814 Charlemagne dies on Jan 28.
