Who was Charlemagne?
Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was a king of the Franks who united much of Western Europe. On Christmas Day in the year 800, the Pope crowned him emperor of the Romans.
Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768. Through decades of military campaigns, he expanded his kingdom to include present-day France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, much of Germany and northern Italy. His capital was Aachen, in western Germany, where he built a famous palace chapel.
Charlemagne promoted learning and education, gathering scholars at his court. This revival of culture is called the Carolingian Renaissance. Monks copied ancient texts in a clear new handwriting called Carolingian minuscule, which helped preserve many classical works and influenced modern lowercase letters.
Father of Europe
Charlemagne died in 814. His empire was later divided among his grandsons, forming the roots of France and Germany. He is often called the Father of Europe, and the Charlemagne Prize, awarded in Aachen, honors contributions to European unity.
Did You Know?
The playing card king of hearts is traditionally said to represent Charlemagne in French decks.