Charlemagne

Charlemagne

Carolingian King of the Franks (A.D. 768-814)

Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (A.D. 800-814)

Also know as Carolus Magnus or Charles the Great.

According to Einhard, Charles was "large and strong, and lofty of stature, though not disproportionately tall (his height is well known to have been seven times the length of his foot); 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. Thus his appearance was always stately and dignified, whether he was standing or sitting; although his neck was thick and somewhat short, and his belly rather prominent; but the symmetry of the rest of his body concealed these defects. His gait was firm, his whole carriage manly, and his voice clear, but not so strong as his size led one to expect.

"His health was excellent, except during the four years preceding his death, when he was subject to frequent fevers; at the last he even limped a little with one foot. Even in those years he consulted rather his own inclinations than the advice of physicians, who were almost hateful to him, because they wanted him to give up roasts, to which he was accustomed, and to eat boiled meat instead.

"In accordance with the national custom, he took frequent exercise on horseback and in the chase, accomplishments in which scarcely any people in the world can equal the Franks. He enjoyed the exhalations from natural warm springs, and often practiced swimming, in which he was such an adept that none could surpass him; and hence it was that he built his palace at Aixla-Chapelle, and lived there constantly during his latter years until his death. He used not only to invite his sons to his bath, but his nobles and friends, and now and then a troop of his retinue or body guard, so that a hundred or more persons sometimes bathed with him."

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/einhard.html

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Blair/Courses/MUSL242/f98/charles.htm

http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96apr/charlemagne.html

http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/santiago/histchrl.html

http://images.google.com/images?q=charlemagne+Pictures

History has been good to us in that Einhard, Charlemagne's friend and courtier has written an account of the life of Charlemagne, which gives much insight to this great leader. Einhard not only tells about the life long accomplishments of his friend, but also gives us a physical description and a feel for his personality.

Einhard writing the life

of Charlemagne

Charlemagne's land ran westward from present-day Ratisbon on the Danube River and from the River Saal to the North Sea. Carolman controlled part of present-day Germany, France and Switzerland. Upon the death of Carolman in 771 Charlemagne gained control of the whole thing which once again unified the kingdom of their father, King Pepin "The Short".

Some historians believe that Charles was the illegitimate son of Pepin the Short & Berthe Countess Of Laon, but nevertheless was heir to the throne because he was the first born son. Others believe the date of his birth and the date of his parents marriage were incorrect, thus legitimizing his birth and rise to the throne. Whichever it may be, his father groomed him from childhood to take over the kingdom with his brother, Carolman. When Charlemagne was 26 his father died, and thus began the reign of Charlemagne.

By the time the brothers took over the kingdom it was fast declining into decay. The Franks were falling back into their barbarian ways, neglecting their education and religion, the Saxons were still pagans, and the Roman Catholic Church was trying to regain land confiscated by Italy. Charlemagne had his work cut out for him.

Charlemagne was an ambitious king, aggressive and ruthless. He had the ability to persevere and to carry through on a plan. He was not a great general, but he was a dogged campaigner and was often able to wear the enemy down through sheer force. Indeed, one of his more important attributes was his physical energy. Einhard notes that Charlemagne was able to work longer and harder than his commanders or his secretaries.

During his reign he sent out more than 50 military expeditions. He rode as commander at the head of at least half of them. He moved his armies over wide reaches of country with unbelievable speed, but every move was planned in advance.

Schools had all but disappeared in the 8th century under the rule of Charles

Martel, Charlemagne's grandfather. Historians believe that Bertrade gave young Charles some education and that he learned to read. His devotion to the church became the great driving force of his remarkable life.

He wore the national "Frank" dress which consisted of a linen shirt and breeches next to his skin, then a tunic fringed with silk. Hose fastened by bands covered his lower legs. In winter he would wear a close-fitting coat of otter or marten skins.

Over everything he flung a blue cloak, and he always had a sword.

On great feast-days he would wear more elaborate embroidered clothes, and shoes bedecked with precious stones; his cloak was fastened by a golden buckle, and he appeared crowned with a diadem of gold and gems: but on other days his dress varied little from the common dress of the people.

He was a religious man, and "cherished with the greatest fervor and devotion the principles of the Christian religion, which had been instilled into him from infancy."

He was generous not only to his own country and his own kingdom, but when he discovered that there were Christians living in poverty in Syria, Egypt, and Africa, at Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Carthage, he had compassion on their wants, and used to send money over the seas to them. The reason that he zealously strove to make friends with the kings beyond seas was that he might get help and relief to the Christians living under their rule.

Toward the close of his life [813], when he was broken by ill-health and old age, he summoned Louis, King of Aquitania, his only surviving son by Hildegard, and gathered together all the chief men of the whole kingdom of the Franks in a solemn assembly. He appointed Louis, with their unanimous consent, to rule with himself over the whole kingdom and constituted him heir to the imperial name.

Charles was conservative in his eating & drinking habits. He hated drunkenness, and forbid it in his household. He could not as easily abstain from food, however, and often complained that fasting was bad for his health. His favorite dish was roast, which his huntsman would bring to him on the spit. He liked to listen to readings or music while he ate.

Charles had the gift of communication and could express himself with clarity. He could speak Latin fluently, and continued his education until his death. However, since he didn't learn to write until late in life, his writing skills were less than successful.

This is a very brief history. There is much more to learn of Charlemagne's life. For more in depth information please refer to the references below.

It is believed that virtually everyone of European descent can trace their pedigree back to Charlemagne.