Charlemagne

CHARLEMAGNE

Rise of Charlemagne

Also known as Charles the Great Lived to be 72, twice the average life

span at the time King of the Franks from 768-814 Covered modern day France, Germany

and parts of Spain and Italy

A Christian King

Conquered land, tried to convert people to Christianity

Formed an alliance with Pope Leo III Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Holy

Roman Emperor

Why Was the Crowning of Charlemagne Important?

Gave the Romans their first emperor since 476

Gave Charlemagne the blessing of the Pope

Established the principle that the Pope had the power to crown an emperor

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Schools and Learning

Charlemagne brought in Alcuin in 782 to set-up a school

Created “Charter of Modern Thought” This was given to church officials and

demanded better grammar in documents Priests were told to set-up free schools

Books were produced by Monks and they would handwrite copies of the Bible

Charlemagne led a revival in Greek and Roman texts

Charlemagne could not write himself yet demanded better grammar to benefit others

Decline of Charlemagne’s Empire

Charlemagne passed away in 814 In 843, his 3 grandsons signed the Treaty

of Verdun This made the empire weak and

vulnerable to attack

Muslims attack in late 800’s and occupy northern Italy

Magyars invade in 896 and take parts of France

Vikings attacked northern Europe in the 900’s