As emperor, Charlemagne proved to be a talented diplomat and able administrator of the vast area he controlled. He promoted education and encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of renewed emphasis on scholarship and culture. read more
At the time of his death, his empire encompassed much of Western Europe. Charlemagne was buried at the cathedral in Aachen. In the ensuing decades, his empire was divided up among his heirs, and by the late 800s, it had dissolved. Nevertheless, Charlemagne became a legendary figure endowed with mythical qualities. read more
The death of Carloman in 771 ended the mounting crisis, and Charlemagne, disregarding the rights of Carloman’s heirs, took control of the entire Frankish realm. King of the Franks The age of Charlemagne. Charlemagne assumed rulership at a moment when powerful forces of change were affecting his kingdom. read more
Arguably the founder of the Frankish Empire in Western Europe, Charlemagne was the elder son of Pepin the Short (714 - September 24, 768, reigned 751 - 768, the brother of the Lady Bertha (mother of Roland), the first Carolingian king, and his wife Bertrada of Laon (720 - July 12, 783). read more