Charles the Great (Charlemagne)
During the 800s, Charlemagne, a Frankish king, built an empire that stretched across modern day France, Germany, and part of Italy.
In 800 Pope Leo III, the head of the Christian Church at the time, called for help against
rebellious nobles in Rome. Charlemagne answered the pope’s call and defeated the Roman
nobles in battle. To show his gratitude, Pope Leo III, crowned Charlemagne “Holy Roman
Emperor” on Christmas Day 800. The crowning of Charlemagne helped revive the ideal of a
united Christian Church and empire.
Significance:
- After being named emperor, Charlemagne strengthened his rule and attempted to create a
united Christian Europe. Working closely with the Roman Catholic Church, he helped spread
Christianity to the far reaches of the empire.
- Charlemagne appointed nobles to rule local areas. He gave them land, expecting them in return
to help with the defense of the empire. As a way to control these rulers, Charlemagne regularly
sent out officials called missi dominici to check on conditions throughout the empire.
- Charlemagne himself could read but not write. He is said to have kept a slate by his bed so that he could
practice making letters if he had time before going to sleep at night.
- Although he made little progress with his own writing skills, he saw the need for officials who could keep
complete and accurate records.
- Education had declined so much that even the supposedly educated clergy were often sadly ignorant.
- Charlemagne also encouraged learning. He set up a school to ensure the education of
government officials. He also established libraries where scholars copied ancient texts,
including the Bible and science and history texts written in Latin.
- Charlemagne revived Latin learning in his empire and strived to create a "second Rome".
- When Charlemagne died in 814 his empire quickly fell apart as his heirs battled for control. In
843, Charlemagne’s grandsons signed the Treaty of Verdun, which divided Charlemagne’s
empire into three separate kingdoms, one for each grandson.
- Charlemagne had a lasting influence. His strong government was a model for future medieval
rulers. He also helped spread Christianity to northern Europe.
In 800 Pope Leo III, the head of the Christian Church at the time, called for help against
rebellious nobles in Rome. Charlemagne answered the pope’s call and defeated the Roman
nobles in battle. To show his gratitude, Pope Leo III, crowned Charlemagne “Holy Roman
Emperor” on Christmas Day 800. The crowning of Charlemagne helped revive the ideal of a
united Christian Church and empire.
Significance:
- After being named emperor, Charlemagne strengthened his rule and attempted to create a
united Christian Europe. Working closely with the Roman Catholic Church, he helped spread
Christianity to the far reaches of the empire.
- Charlemagne appointed nobles to rule local areas. He gave them land, expecting them in return
to help with the defense of the empire. As a way to control these rulers, Charlemagne regularly
sent out officials called missi dominici to check on conditions throughout the empire.
- Charlemagne himself could read but not write. He is said to have kept a slate by his bed so that he could
practice making letters if he had time before going to sleep at night.
- Although he made little progress with his own writing skills, he saw the need for officials who could keep
complete and accurate records.
- Education had declined so much that even the supposedly educated clergy were often sadly ignorant.
- Charlemagne also encouraged learning. He set up a school to ensure the education of
government officials. He also established libraries where scholars copied ancient texts,
including the Bible and science and history texts written in Latin.
- Charlemagne revived Latin learning in his empire and strived to create a "second Rome".
- When Charlemagne died in 814 his empire quickly fell apart as his heirs battled for control. In
843, Charlemagne’s grandsons signed the Treaty of Verdun, which divided Charlemagne’s
empire into three separate kingdoms, one for each grandson.
- Charlemagne had a lasting influence. His strong government was a model for future medieval
rulers. He also helped spread Christianity to northern Europe.