Charlamagne (Charles the Great)

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, lived from 747-814. He was a Frankish king that ruled from 768-814(46 years). During his reign, he conquered Italy. He was also crowned Imperator Augustus by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800. Also during Charlemagne's reign, the Carolingian Renaissance took place. The Carolingian Renaissance were when art religion and culture were revived through the Catholic church.

Charlemagne's appearance is described in detail by the author Einhard. He is said to be tall, stately, and have fair hair. He was also described as having an extremely large neck. He was seen to be an ideal ruler and was portrayed in this way in statues, paintings, etc.

"Charles was large and strong, and of lofty stature, though not disproportionately tall (his height is well known to have been seven times the length of his foot); the upper part of his head was round, his eyes very large and animated, nose a little long, hair fair, and face laughing and merry. Thus his appearance was always stately and dignified, whether he was standing or sitting; although his neck was thick and somewhat short, and his belly rather prominent; but the symmetry of the rest of his body concealed these defects. His gait was firm, his whole carriage manly, and his voice clear, but not so strong as his size led one to expect." (source)

Charlemagne was married a total of five times, and had many concubines. He also had many children. Although his family was large he was close to his family. Sometimes he would even bring his sons along with him on campaigns. He also had a great respect for the Catholic church and heaped great wealth upon it. However, he never committed fully to any religious law.

Today Charlemagne is regarded as the founding father of both French and German monarchies.He is also regarded as the father of Europe because his empire united most of Western Europe for the first time since the Romans. The Carolingian renaissance encouraged the formation of a common European identity.

"The empire created by Charlemagne extended over most of what is now regarded as Western Europe." (McKitterick, 30)

When Charlemagne died in 814 he was succeeded by his surviving son, Louis, who had been crowned the year prior to his death. His empire lasted only one more generation. The Carolingian empire, according to custom, was divided between Louis's own sons after their father's death laid the foundation for the modern states of France and Germany.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.