Charlemagne. The Father of Europe

Charlemagne 

The Father of Europe

Charlemagne is one the greatest leaders of the early Middle Ages. He was the first monarch to conquer a good part of Western Europe, thus becoming the first Emperor in the West since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. But who is this interesting historical figure?

Born in 742AD, in Aachen, he was the son of the Pepin the Short, the King of the Franks. His grandfather was Charles Martel from the Carolingian family. Charles was not a king, but the Mayor of Palace, the equivalent of Prime-Minister, while the ruling dynasty were the Merovingians. However, in 751AD, Pepin managed to depose Childeric III, the last Merovingian king and as a result he was crowned the new King of the Franks. 

Pepin the Short (751-768)

Charles Martel (688-741); he defeated the Arab armies at the Battle of Tours (732 AD)

Charlemagne (768-814 AD)

In 768 AD, Charlemagne became King after his father passed away. However, he ruled his kingdom along with his brother, Carloman. The 2 brothers had opposite characters and they developed a powerful rivalry. Fortunately, Carloman died in 771 AD, leaving Charlemagne the sole-ruler of the kingdom.  

Europe in 771AD

There was little time for mourning, because in 772AD, Charlemagne embarked on a series of military campaigns to expand his realm. His first target were the Saxons, in the North of Germany. The casus belli was the burning of a church in Deventer. It is worth mentioning that the Saxons had not been Christianized yet. Thus, it started a war which lasted for more than 30 years in which many atrocities and crimes against humanity were committed. Furthermore, in 774AD, the Franks crossed the Alps to defeat the Lombards in Northern Italy.  Additionally, he conquered the Avars, a nomad tribe from Pannonia, and defeated the Arabs in the Iberian Peninsula.

Carolingian Empire, 814AD

In 799AD, Pope Leo III had been assaulted by some of the Romans who wanted to depose him. He managed to find refuge at Charlemagne's court. In return, Charlemagne crossed the Alpes and held a synod in December 800AD. Pope Leo swore his oath of innocence to the Frankish King and in an attempt to consolidate his position took a radical decision. On Christmas Day, 800AD, Charlemagne knelt at the altar of the Saint Peter's Basilica in order to pray when the Pope decided to crown him 'Emperor of the Romans'. Whether or not Charlemagne knew about this, it is still a matter of debate. 

In 814AD, aged 72, Emperor Charlemagne died. He was succeeded by his son, Louis. Unfortunately, he did not manage to keep the empire united, and as a result it was partitioned by his three sons, in 843AD