Brave, bold, and brutally successful—he was known as Charlemagne (Charles the Great). Charlemagne is remembered as one of history’s great leaders. This warrior king succeeded in building an empire that united much of Europe.

A legend in his own lifetime, Charlemagne was hated and feared by some. Yet many others saw Charlemagne as the ideal Christian ruler.

BORN IN WAR-TORN EUROPE

Charlemagne was born in ad 742, when all Europe was at war. The mighty Roman Empire that once ruled Europe had collapsed. Invaders were attacking from the east. Tribes from the north were moving south. The peoples of Europe were fighting among themselves. Everybody wanted to conquer more land.

Europe was also a religious battleground. Many Europeans followed ancient, non-Christian religions. But the Roman Catholic Church said these older religions were evil. Leaders of the church, called popes, urged European kings to create a new Christian empire. This empire would replace the old Roman one. It would restore law and order.

EARLY ADVENTURES

Charlemagne’s father was king of the Franks, a people living in France and Germany. His family was Christian. While still a boy, Charlemagne helped his father fight against enemies of the pope. They won a series of victories and much land.

Charlemagne’s early adventures set the pattern for his future. He fought to protect the Catholic Church, spread the Christian faith, and increase his own territory.

CHARLEMAGNE’S CONQUESTS

Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 771. He wasted little time in attacking the Saxons, his non-Christian neighbors in northern Germany. Charlemagne gave the Saxon people a brutal choice: Become Christian or be killed. Many Saxons rebelled. It took Charlemagne more than 30 years of bitter fighting to win a complete victory over the Saxons.

Charlemagne went on to conquer lands in Bavaria, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy. In 778, Charlemagne invaded Spain, but he found little success. His retreating army was ambushed and suffered a heavy loss. But by 795, Charlemagne controlled most of western Europe.

CROWNED BY THE POPE

In 799, Charlemagne hurried to Rome to put down a rebellion that threatened the pope. The pope showed his thanks to Charlemagne on Christmas Day 800. He put a golden crown on Charlemagne’s head and declared him the emperor of the Romans.

GOVERNMENT UNDER CHARLEMAGNE

Charlemagne kept his empire under very firm control. He made leading nobles collect taxes, punish criminals, and fight for him in war. In return, he gave them land. He also chose bishops, who had power over local church affairs. Each year, Charlemagne called the nobles and bishops to his palace to make reports.

Charlemagne built new roads and bridges so that messengers could carry his orders at top speed. He commanded that coins should be the same in all his lands, to encourage trade. He arranged laws from all over the empire into a grand new legal code. The empire flourished under Charlemagne’s wise and energetic rule.

Although fierce in battle, Charlemagne had a gentler side. He loved books and the company of scholars. He set up schools across his kingdom to teach Latin, the main written language at that time. He encouraged the schools to teach the children of the poor.

A NEW EUROPE

Charlemagne died in 814. His empire did not survive long. In 843, it was divided among his grandsons. A part of Charlemagne’s vast empire later became known as the Holy Roman Empire, which lasted until 1806.

Charlemagne’s rule had a lasting influence on European life. Charlemagne united the Christian lands of western Europe and firmly established the power of the church. Charlemagne also helped bring about a revival of thought and learning in Europe.

<a href="https://englishpluspodcast.com/author/dannyballanowner/" target="_self">Danny Ballan</a>

Danny Ballan

Author

Danny is a podcaster, teacher, and writer. He worked in educational technology for over a decade. He creates daily podcasts, online courses, educational videos, educational games, and he also writes poetry, novels and music.

You may also Like

A Short Introduction to Alexander the Great

A Short Introduction to Alexander the Great

He was a king, a commander, and a conqueror. Alexander the Great was so powerful some people called him a god. He was one of the greatest generals in history, and he built a vast empire that extended from the Mediterranean Sea to India.

read more

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

Navigating the Waves of Change: A Global Journey Through the Evolution of Education Systems

Navigating the Waves of Change: A Global Journey Through the Evolution of Education Systems

Join us on English Plus Podcast as we embark on a captivating journey through the evolution of education systems around the world. Hosted by Danny, this episode delves into the historical milestones, cultural influences, and innovative reforms that have shaped education globally. Discover how learning methods have transformed over time and what this means for learners today.

read more

Word Power | Halcyon

Embark on a journey to uncover the serene beauty of ‘Halcyon’ days! In this video, we dive into the meaning of ‘Halcyon’ and explore how this concept can bring peace and tranquility into our hectic lives. Through engaging stories, practical applications, and a sprinkle of humor, we’ll show you how to find your own halcyon moments amidst chaos. Tune in for a heartwarming exploration of serenity and mindfulness.

read more

Categories

Follow Us

Pin It on Pinterest