Charlemagne :: essays research papers

CharlemagneCharlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, became the undisputed ruler of westward Europe, By the sword and the cross. (Comptons 346) As Western Europe was deteriorating Charlemagne was crowned the privilege of being joint king of the Franks in 768 A.D. People of Western Europe, excluding the perform followers, had all but forgotten the great gifts of culture and arts that they had possessed at wholeness time. Charlemagne solidly defeated barbarians and kings in identical fashion during his reign. employ the re-establishment of education and order, Charlemagne was able to save many political rights and restore culture in Western Europe. Early LifeCharlemagne was born in 742 A.D., to a genuinely famous and well-known family. Charlemagnes grandfather was Charles Martel, the man who was responsible for the defeat of the Saracens. Charlemagne was also the eldest son of Bertrade (also known as Bertha Greatfoot) and Pepin the Short, the first to become king of the Fra nks. With the almost full extinction of schools in the 8th century, many historians say that Charlemagne received very little education, but did learn the art of reading from Bertrade. The one thing that kept Charlemagne motivated throughout his entire life was his deep devotion to the church. Charlemagne was a tall young man with light blond hair, and was exposit by his secretary as, face laughing and merry. . . his appearance was always stately and dignified. (World book 452) Charlemagne had great wit, but was stern at times. He had simple and nurse tastes he enjoyed hunting, riding and swimming. Charlemagne had a large wardrobe with many Frankish dresses, linen shirts and breeches, silk-fringed tunics, hoses wrapped with bands, and for the winter he had coats made of otter or marten skins. Charlemagne asked his plurality to improve their lifestyles, but he divorced two of his four fives without any given cause.Charlemagnes ReignIn 768 A.D., Charlemagne at the age of 26, along with his pal Carloman inherited the kingdom of Franks. However, in 771 A.D. Carloman died, making Charlemagne the sole ruler of the kingdom. At this time the northern part of Europe was out of order and unruly. In the south, the roman type Catholic Church was asserting itself alongside the Lombard kingdom in Italy. While in Charlemagnes own kingdom, the people were becoming and acting as barbarians and neglecting education and faith. But Charlemagne was determined to make his kingdom as strong as possible.