Page 82 - 100 Events That Made History

In 800 CE, Charles the

Great (better known
as Charlemagne) was

crowned emperor in
Coronation of Rome. He was the first
emperor in the West for
more than 300 years.
Charlemagne

Charlemagne had co-ruled
with his brother Carloman
for three years—until his
brother mysteriously died!
The FATHER of

European unity

Ruler on the rampage
Charlemagne had become sole ruler
of the Franks in 771 CE, and was
on a mission to dominate Europe.
By 774, he was king of Italy. Over the
next 30 years he advanced into Spain,
captured Bavaria, defeated the Avars
near Belgrade, and SMASHED THE Did you know?
SAXONS of northern Germany. Charlemagne was part
of the Carolingian
dynasty (descendants
of the military leader

Seat of power Charles Martel).
Charlemagne made Aachen (in the
far west of modern-day Germany)
his power base and capital. He built
a palace and cathedral there. The
only part of the palace still standing
is the PALATINE CHAPEL (left),
which contains Charlemagne’s tomb.

What came before…

CLOVIS I was the first king to Charlemagne encouraged
unite the Franks. He converted to good relations with the
Christianity in 496 CE and had Church, and protected POPE
reconquered much of Roman LEO III from his enemies. In
Gaul by his death in 511. return, Leo lent religious
support to Charlemagne.
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