lr*o" cE:c.

77o-840

fugne'sEm Dlre
n 768, a young prince Religion and learning
called charles was Charlemagne paid for churches
crowned King of the and monasteries to be built all
Franks and inherited most over his Empire. He encouraged
of the land that is now scholars, artists and craftworkers
France. (See page 6 for to come and work in Aachen,
more about üe Franks.) He where he had his palace.
\üs a brilliant soldier and a
keen christian, and he became
knorr-n as Charlemagne, which
means "Charles the Great".

Stained_glass
portrait of
Charlemagne

Building an empire
Charlemagne wanted to create a
new Christian empire as large as
the Roman Empire had been.
For over 30 years, he fought for
land, insisting that any non-
Christians he conquered should
join the Church. On Christmas
Day B00, the Pope crowned him
"Emperor of the
Romans".
Charlemagne's palace at Aachen
After Charlemagne
Charlemagne's Empire did not
last long after his death. By B43,
the Empire had split into three
kingdoms, and each kingdom
was ruled by a member of
Charlemagne's family. The
three rulers fought against each
other and their kingdoms became
very weak.

Important dates
768 Char]emagne becomes
King oíthe Franks.
773-804 Charlemagne builds up
his Empire.
800-8 l4 Charlemagne is emperor.
843 Char]emagne's Empire is
split into three kingdoms.
Pope Leo lll crowning
Emperor Charlemagne

!!l*t!T,a
i