and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 742CE 814CE Charlemagne Historians believe that Charlemagne was born in 742CE and died in 814CE. Charlemagne became King of the Franks (a people who lived roughly in the area of modern France) in 768CE. He expanded the Frankish Kingdom into an Empire that included much of Western and Central Europe. He united Western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire, and in doing so began the formation of a European identity. Rise to Power Charlemagne took over as King when he was 26 years old, after his father Pepin the Short, died. He and his younger brother Carloman, jointly ruled the Kingdom of the Franks until 771CE, when Carloman died and Charlemagne became the sole ruler. He therefore ruled his Kingdom from 771CE 814CE. Coronation in 751 of Ppin the Short by Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz Charles the Great People called Charlemagne, Charles the Great, because he was so popular. He was a strong leader and good organiser. He improved the way people were ruled. He was also over six feet tall. (Which was very tall for those days!) Charles the Great. Originally published in the Swedish book "Historisk lasebok" published in 1882. Charlemagnes Rule Under Charlemagnes rule as King, Europe underwent a cultural revival. During his reign as King, Charlemagne is responsible for a number of important achievements: Politically Charlemagne is thought to have introduced a new way of running society. This system is now known as the feudal system. Charlemagne controlled the Frankish Empire by giving land to the people who pledged their loyalty to him. This concept of supporting the King in exchange for land and favours, is thought to have laid the foundations for Feudalism. This early type of social order, introduced by Charlemagne, later spread across Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Militarily Charlemagne increased his power and status by increasing the size of his Kingdom through military expansion. He fought more than 50 wars, including wars against the Saxons and Lombard. He was successful militarily for several reasons: Well organised Introduced new weapons Used the Calvary in his army Introduced the stirrup Clever military tactics Used spies and intelligence Charlemagne did not ask his counts, knights and vassals whether to fight, but where to fight! Church Reforms Charlemagne built a number of Churches and Cathedrals He also reformed much of the Church by: Strengthening of the church's power structure Improving the skill and moral quality of the clergy Standardizing liturgical practices Improvements on the basic tenets of the faith and moral Eradicating paganism. The construction of Aachen, illumination by Jean Fouquet, in the Grandes Chroniques de France, 15th century. Charlemagne is at the foreground. Legal Reforms Before Charlemagne, the Frankish court system used Trial by Ordeal. Trial by Ordeal meant that if you were a peasant and were accused of a crime, to prove your innocence you had to grab a red hot metal rod and hold it. If your burns healed within three days you were innocent, if not you were guilty. Charlemagne created a new system called Trial by Panel. Under this system, a group of learned men would listen to the testimony and look at the evidence and then pronounce guilt or innocence. From this system of Trial by Panel we got our own system of Trial by Jury. Christianity Charlemagne promoted the spread of Christianity The people he conquered had to convert to Christianity, anyone who refused was executed. He once killed 4500 people in Saxony because they refused to convert. He became a protector of the Catholic Church with the title, The Holy Roman Emperor. Pope Leo III surprisingly crowned Charlemagne the Emperor of the Romans over the Holy Roman Empire Holy Roman Emperor In 799CE, Pope Leo III was in danger. The people of Rome accused him of immorality and threatened to gouge out his eyes and cut out his tongue. In desperation, Pope Leo III, fled to Charlemagne, seeking his protection. Charlemagne agreed to protect the Pope, and so he was crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day 800CE. Charlemagne protected and supported the Pope and the Catholic Church. He fought many wars to protect their interests. Commerce and the Economy During his reign he developed commerce. He instituted principles for accounting practice He laid down strict rules for the way in which incomes and expenses were to be recorded. The lending of money for interest was prohibited, Charlemagne also standardised the monetary system to make it fairer and less open to abuse. He introduced a payment system using silver coins, and standardised the value for each coin. A coin of Charlemagne with the inscription KAROLVS IMP AVG (Karolus Imperator Augustus) Education Although Charlemagne could not read or write, he wanted to revive learning and culture in his Kingdom and promoted education. He ordered the foundation of schools in every monastery and established Cathedral schools for the education of the clergy and Nobles in Chartres, Orleans, Paris, Laon, Rheims, Rouen and Utrecht. He had old books from all over his kingdom carefully and accurately copied to preserve them. He translated these books as well. Writing Charlemagne ordered a new and clear form of writing called the Carolingian Script to be used across the Empire. It was used in the Holy Roman Empire between approximately 800CE and 1200CE. Manuscript using Carolingian script, 845CE Translated manuscript, Historia Tvrpini, 804CE Death and the end of his Empire Charlemagne died in 814CE and was buried in his cathedral in Aachen(modern day Germany). The empire was divided amongst his sons. By the time his grandsons were ruling, these kingdoms were weakening. By 900CE, his great kingdom was divided into smaller kingdoms with Christian Rulers. A reliquary of Charlemagne containing his head. This is found in the cathedral treasury in Aachen, Germany. Biography Einhard wrote a biography of Charlemagne titled, Vita Karoli Magni, translated as The Life of Charlemagne Historians believe this to be the first example of a biography written about a European King. The biography provides an insight into life and society in the Middle Ages. A reliquary of Charlemagne containing his head. This is found in the cathedral treasury in Aachen, Germany.