Charlemagne

Charlemagne, arguably the greatest leader Europe has ever seen. He was born in 742 in Northern Europe and died in 814. Charlemagne conquered much of Western Europe and united it under a great empire. His father, Pepin or Pippin III, was elected king of the Frankish Empire when Charlemagne was a child. The king was nicknamed Pepin the Short, while his wife, Charlemagne's mother Bertrada, was nicknamed Bertha of the Big Foot. The Frankish Empire was split in half among Charlemagne and his brother Carlomagne. However, Charlemagne became sole ruler after his brother died in 771. Charlemagne was determined to strengthen his realm and to bring order to Europe. In 772 he launched a campaign to accomplish this objective.

By 800 Charlemagne was the undisputed ruler of Western Europe. His vast kingdom included France, Switzerland, Belgium, and The Netherlands. It included half of Italy and Germany, and parts of Austria and Spain. By establishing a central government over Western Europe, Charlemagne restored much of the unity of the old Roman Empire and paved the way for the development of modern Europe. Sometime in 800, Pope Leo III placed a golden crown on Charlemagne’s head. He was then named Charlemagne, Emperor of Holy Roman Empire. He cherished the Church of St. Peter the Apostle at Rome above all other holy and sacred places.