Biography of Charlemagne
Also called Charles I, Charles the Great (in French,
Charlemagne; in German, Karl der Grosse; in Latin,
Carolus Magnus) was King of the Franks, King of the Lombards,
and is generally considered the first Holy Roman Emperor. Charlemagne
consolidated a large portion of Europe under his rule, promoted
learning, and instituted innovative administrative concepts.
Charlemagne was the son of Pippin
III (the Short), who officially put an end to the Merovingian
line of kings when he negotiated with the pope to be crowned King of
the Franks. When Pippin died, the kingdom of Francia was divided
between Charlemagne and his brother Carloman. Charles proved himself
a capable leader from early on, but his brother was less so, and
their relationship was tense until Carloman's death in 771.
Once Charlemagne had sole rule of the government of Francia, he
expanded his territory through conquest. He conquered the Lombards in
northern Italy, acquired Bavaria, and campaigned in Spain and
Hungary. Charles used harsh measures in subduing the Saxons and
virtually exterminating the Avars of presnt-day Austria and Hungary.
Though he had essentially amassed an empire, Charlemagne did not
style himself "emperor," but called himself the King of the Franks
and Lombards.
Charles was an able administrator who delegated
authority over his conquered provinces to Frankish nobles. At the
same time, he recognized the diverse ethnic groups he'd brought
together, and allowed each to retain its own local laws. To ensure
justice, Charlemagne had these laws set down in writing and strictly
enforced. He issued capitularies that applied to all citizens,
and kept an eye on events in his empire through the use of missi
dominici, representatives who acted with his authority.
Though never able to master writing himself,
Charlemagne was an enthusiastic patron of learning. He attracted
noted scholars to his court, including Alcuin, who became his private
tutor, and Einhard, who was his biographer. Charles was responsible
for reforming the palace school and setting up monastic schools
throughout the empire. The monasteries he sponsored preserved and
copied ancient books. The flowering of learning under his patronage
has come to be known as the "Carolingian Renaissance."
Charlemagne took his role as a Christian seriously, and in 800, he came to the aid of Pope Leo III, who had been attacked in the streets of Rome. Charlemagne went to Rome to restore order and, after Leo purged himself of the charges against him, the pope unexpectedly crowned him emperor.
According to his biographer Einhard, Charlemagne wasn't pleased with this development, because it established the precedent of papal ascendancy over secular leadership; but though he still often referred to himself as a king he now also styled himself "Emperor," as well.
Charlemagne died in January, 814. His achievements stand among the most significant of the early Middle Ages, and although the empire he built (called "the Carolingian Empire" after him) would not long outlast his son Louis, his consolidation of lands marked a watershed in the development of Europe.
