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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
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
What was Charlemagne's Legacy?
Although the empire Charles built did not long outlast his death, still his consolidation of territory was an important stage in the growth of Europe. In addition, many of the changes and developments made by Charles himself, or fostered due to his patronage, would endure long beyond the Carolingian Empire.
The offices created or adapted by Charlemagne would persist for centuries in the variations of counts, dukes and marquises across Europe and Britain.
Charlemagne reorganized the monetary system, devising the system of pounds, shillings and pence used throughout Europe in the middle ages and in Britain until the 1970s.
How did Charlemagne spread Christianity and promote trade?
Charlemagne fought in about 53 military conquests and gave the defeated a choice. Christianity or death. Many chose Christianity, but some who were very religious chose death. Charlemagne was a man of his word. He killed over 4,500 people.
Did Charlemagne come from a non- royal lineage?
Charlemagne was born into a family long rooted in royalty. He was a descent of the Merovingian Dynasty, the Frank and Austrasia Kings. Charlemagne's rise to power was nothing short of being born out of hereditary entitlement. The Answer is NO!
What were some results of the rule of Charlemagne?
He conquered kingdoms France Italy and Germany
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What are the accomplishments of Charlemagne?
Charlemagne was the driving force behind the "Carolingian Renaissance". He was a man who was born before his time.
He believed in universal education for all rich or poor, male or female. He helped established village schools for children and poor adults if they wished. He had a tutor for not only his sons, but his daughters, his wives and concubines and his female servants.
He joined together a biggest empire ever seen in that time period. It was included territory not in the Rome Empire than had proceeded it. He controlled almost all of modern Western Europe and part of Spain.
He established a common currency which was one silver penny known as a denarius which served as the currency for the entire empire. So solid was the empire's economy that other countries in Asia and Africa used it as the basis for their own currency much like what the US dollar used to be used for.
He ordered the monks of the church to copy all the known Greek and Roman texts from the "Golden Age" of Antiquity. Without those texts being copied they would have never survived to this day. In addition without those copies they would not have survived and being used as the basis for the 16th century or Italian Renaissance.
He made Latin the common language of the empire but also allowed monks to copy religious texts using the 'vernacular' or common Frankish (that would be modern German) language. This was highly unusual and would not be seen again until the time of Martin Luther and the Reformation.
He concerned himself with corruption in the church and brought back the use of the Rule of Benedict for all monks. This was a very strict guide to how a monk's life and everyday work should be completed. He stopped church officials from profiting from their positions.
He acted as a patron to artists, sculptors, architects,writers and scholars. He gathered around himself at his court in Aachen a large circle of the best scholars of his empire. His accomplishments were many and varied as you can see.
How was Charlemagne remembered?
Charlemagne is remembered today because he did many great things. First of all, he expanded his empire, then he made the people that he conquered convert to Christianity.
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