Charlemagne

By: Matthew BarreraMs. Marshall

Walter Stiern Middle School

2009-2010HSS 7.6

Charlemagne’s Early Years

• Born in 742 at a place unknown

• His father Pepin the Short was in charge of a huge part of European land

• As a child Charlemagne did not receive proper education

• His childhood was overpowered by laborious task of his father’s kingdom, that one day he would rule

Young king

• Then on 768 Charlemagne’s father passed

• Frankland was then separated between Charlemagne and Carloman

• Both had their own coronation

• Both were unable to work together

• They never trusted each other

Early Years as a King

• His brother Carloman died in 771• Charlemagne was now known as the sole

king• At this time the northern half of Europe

was pagan and lawless • They were neglecting education and going

back to there barbarian ways • But Charlemagne was still determined to

strengthen his realm

Wars

• To complete this objective Charlemagne set out for a 30 year military campaign

• By the 800’s Charlemagne was undefeated ruler of Europe

• His realm encompassed what are now France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands

• Also included half of present day Italy and Germany, and parts of Austria and Spain

Governing an Empire

• He made a central government

• By making the central government he paved the way for the Holy Roman Empire

• It also helped Charlemagne on his conquests later in years

• It set the pattern for other rulers years after Charlemagne’s life

Charlemagne’s capital

• Yet another of Charlemagne’s accomplishments was the building of his permanent capital

• The capital laid in the small town of Aachen

• He choose the town of Aachen for its sites• It contained many rooms for education,

business, and for other hobbies Charlemagne enjoyed

Education in the capital

• Charlemagne was so eager to improve education in his capital

• One important feature of his capital was a school

• Ran by a church scholar from England named Alcuin

• Though only made for the royal family Charlemagne allowed everyone to come

Alcuin’s accomplishments

• Alcuin wrote textbooks for students on such subjects as grammar and spelling

• He also taught and trained teachers• A result of Alcuin’s efforts was the use of a

new easier to read script• The script was named Carolingian*

minuscule• Our new printing and writing developed

from this new script

Charlemagne’s Death

• After all of Charlemagne’s accomplishments Charlemagne fell ill with his constant fevers

• Charlemagne was fasting trying to cure himself, but it did not work

• It turned out to be a lung inflammation

• Then on January, 28, 814, Charlemagne died leaving his kingdom to his son Louis

Bibliography

• Greenblatt, Miriam. Charlemagne and the Early Middle Ages. 99 White Plains Road Tarrytown: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2003.