Born around April 2, 742, for Easter, probably in Quierzy, Charles was the eldest son of Pépin le Bref, king of the Franks. When his father dies, he must share the empire he inherits with his brother Carloman. He was anointed, along with his younger brother, by Pope Stephen II in 754. Following the sudden death of Carloman, Charles the Great (Carolus Magnus) reunited the kingdom in 771 and continued to expand it. Fervent defender of the papacy and of the Church, Charlemagne imposes his faith on the subjugated peoples to found a Christian kingdom. Baptisms are sometimes done in blood. Renowned for the violence of his fights (against the Saxons in particular), he is also eager for knowledge and knowledge. By building his palace in Aix-la-Chapelle, the great king promoted education, legislated, established the feudal system and gathered around him all thinkers, scholars, artists, copyists, announcing the Renaissance before its time. In the year 800, Pope Leo III crowned him and named him "Emperor of the Romans", the first since the last was deposed in 476, more than 300 years ago! Charlemagne was the greatest representative of the Carolingian dynasty.
Approx. April 2, 742 - January 28, 814
Status
King of the Franks
Emperor of the Romans