Charlemagne Essay
Charlemagne
Charles the Great
Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was born in 742 to Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon. The oldest of four children, Charlemagne rose to great power and significance. He rebuilt the crumbling society of Medieval Europe by introducing numerous social, political and cultural reforms in what we now call the Carolingian Renaissance. He became the King of the Franks, and gained the title of Holy Roman Emperor. Through many military campaigns, he unified northern Europe and established a flourishing society.
Charlemagne was born two years before his parents married; this resulted in him being born out of wedlock. His father was declared the King of the Franks in 751 after the Merovingian King was dethroned. Charlemagne then became one of the heirs. Gigantic and authoritative, he was everything a leader should be. He was taught at the palace school by Fulrad, the abbot of St. Denis, and participated in Pepin the Short’s coronation ceremony. He also accompanied his father on many military campaigns. These campaigns showed Charlemagne the battlefield of both life and war, and influenced him to restore the fragmented society he saw.
Charlemagne had three siblings: Carloman, 752 to 771; Gisela, 757 to 810; and Pepin IV, 758-762. Pepin IV died in infancy due to unknown reasons. Gisela became a nun soon after her father’s death in 771, later becoming Abbess of Chelles. She died in the convent in 810. When Pepin the Short died in 768, the kingdom was split between Charlemagne and Carloman. Carloman received the larger, richer portion of the land, and the brothers soured. When Carloman died in 771, Charlemagne rose to full power and was declared King of the Franks.
During his reign, Charlemagne was often crusading to extend his empire. He gained support early in his career by granting land to lords, thereby securing their loyalty. He built a huge, fearsome army and led the men into many victories.
One of Charlemagne’s
Charles the Great
Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was born in 742 to Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon. The oldest of four children, Charlemagne rose to great power and significance. He rebuilt the crumbling society of Medieval Europe by introducing numerous social, political and cultural reforms in what we now call the Carolingian Renaissance. He became the King of the Franks, and gained the title of Holy Roman Emperor. Through many military campaigns, he unified northern Europe and established a flourishing society.
Charlemagne was born two years before his parents married; this resulted in him being born out of wedlock. His father was declared the King of the Franks in 751 after the Merovingian King was dethroned. Charlemagne then became one of the heirs. Gigantic and authoritative, he was everything a leader should be. He was taught at the palace school by Fulrad, the abbot of St. Denis, and participated in Pepin the Short’s coronation ceremony. He also accompanied his father on many military campaigns. These campaigns showed Charlemagne the battlefield of both life and war, and influenced him to restore the fragmented society he saw.
Charlemagne had three siblings: Carloman, 752 to 771; Gisela, 757 to 810; and Pepin IV, 758-762. Pepin IV died in infancy due to unknown reasons. Gisela became a nun soon after her father’s death in 771, later becoming Abbess of Chelles. She died in the convent in 810. When Pepin the Short died in 768, the kingdom was split between Charlemagne and Carloman. Carloman received the larger, richer portion of the land, and the brothers soured. When Carloman died in 771, Charlemagne rose to full power and was declared King of the Franks.
During his reign, Charlemagne was often crusading to extend his empire. He gained support early in his career by granting land to lords, thereby securing their loyalty. He built a huge, fearsome army and led the men into many victories.
One of Charlemagne’s