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Emperor Charlemagne

Alias(es)
Charles the Great
Biographical Information

Charles died after four years of failing health, from pleurisy, and is buried in the chapel at Aachen (now part of the cathedral)(Aachen = Aix la Chapelle). A contemporary account states that he was almost seven feet in height, in an era when few men were even six feet - "large and strong, and of lofty stature, though not disproportionately tall...the upper part of his head was round, his eyes very large and animated, nose a little long, hair fair, and face laughing and merry." He was warm, outgoing and athletic. {Popular account: "Charlemagne," Harold Lamb (Doubleday, 1954).} --- Compton's Encyclopedia (America On-Line, 1995) reports: CHARLEMAGNE (742?-814). "By the sword and the cross," Charlemagne (Charles the Great) became master of Western Europe. It was falling into decay when Charlemagne became joint king of the Franks in 768. Except in the monasteries, people had all but forgotten education and the arts. Boldly Charlemagne conquered barbarians and kings alike. By restoring the roots of learning and order, he preserved many political rights and revived culture. Charlemagne's grandfather was Charles Martel, the warrior who crushed the Saracens (see Charles Martel). Charlemagne was the elder son of Bertrade ("Bertha Greatfoot") and Pepin the Short, first "mayor of the palace" to become king of the Franks. Although schools had almost disappeared in the 8th century, historians believe that Bertrade gave young Charles some education and that he learned to read. His devotion to the church motivated him throughout life. Charlemagne was tall, powerful, and tireless. His secretary, Eginhard, wrote that Charlemagne had fair hair and a "face laughing and merry . . . his appearance was always stately and dignified." He had a ready wit, but could be stern. His tastes were simple and moderate. He delighted in hunting, riding, and swimming. He wore the Frankish dress--linen shirt and breeches, a silk-fringed tunic, hose wrapped with bands, and, in winter, a tight coat of otter or marten skins. Over all these garments "he flung a blue cloak, and he always had a sword girt about him." Charlemagne's character was contradictory. In an age when the usual penalty for defeat was death, Charlemagne several times spared the lives of his defeated foes; yet in 782 at Verden, after a Saxon uprising, he ordered 4,500 Saxons beheaded. He compelled the clergy and nobles to reform, but he divorced two of his four wives without any cause. He forced kings and princes to kneel at his feet, yet his mother and his two favorite wives often overruled him in his own household.

Date of Birth
2 Apr 742
Place of Birth
Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Date of Death
28 Jan 814
Place of Death
Aachen, Germany
Burial

Aachen Cathedral, Aachen, Germany

Birth Coordinates
Marker
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Family Tree

Saint Tongresabt 530-aft 599Bodegeisel Aquitaineabt 560-588 PalatinaOda Savoyabt 560-abt 634Saint France13 Aug 582-16 Aug 640Ansbertus Senator)abt 523-570 BlithildeArnoldus Metzabt 540-601Doda Saxonyabt 584-abt 612Ansegisel France602-685Pepin Iabt 585-21 Feb 639Ansbertus Senator)abt 523-570 BlithildeArnoldus Metzabt 540-601Itta Nivelles592-5 Aug 652Doda (Ste-Begga)abt 613-17 Dec 693Pepin Austrasia635-16 Dec 714 Childebrandabt 640-aft 673Alpaide Elphide)abt 654-abt 705Charles Palace688-22 Oct 741Garnier Trevesabt 550-abt 599unknown TrevesBodilon Trevesabt 600-aft 643 Ansaud LeuthariusGerberge Burgundiansdaughter LeuthariusSigrada (Sigree)abt 605-aft 677Warinus Poitiersabt 640-677Bodegeisel Aquitaineabt 560-588Oda Savoyabt 560-abt 634Saint France13 Aug 582-16 Aug 640Arnoldus Metzabt 540-601Doda Saxonyabt 584-abt 612Clodulphe Metzabt 615-690 KunzaLeutwinus Trevesabt 665-713Tassilo BavariaGaribaldo BavariaGisulfo Friulibef 589-611 RomildeGela FriuliTheodon BavariaChildebert Austrasia570-Dec 595 Failendeabt 565-596Theudebert Austrasia586-612 Bellichildis RegintrudeFrance-Theodon Bavariaabt 635-716Erlebert TherouanneRobert Salzburg620-677 TheodoraFolchaide SalzburgWilligarde BavièreChrotude Austrasiaabt 690-724Pepin Franks714-24 Sep 768Saint Tongresabt 530-aft 599Bodegeisel Aquitaineabt 560-588 PalatinaOda Savoyabt 560-abt 634Saint France13 Aug 582-16 Aug 640Ansbertus Senator)abt 523-570 BlithildeArnoldus Metzabt 540-601Doda Saxonyabt 584-abt 612Ansegisel France602-685Pepin Iabt 585-21 Feb 639Ansbertus Senator)abt 523-570 BlithildeArnoldus Metzabt 540-601Itta Nivelles592-5 Aug 652Doda (Ste-Begga)abt 613-17 Dec 693Martin LaonCount LaonBertha Laonabt 720-12 Jul 783Emperor Charlemagne2 Apr 742-28 Jan 814