Throughout history, there have been many good and bad rulers, from the
bravery of Alexander the Great, to the madness of George III. None, however,
helped shape European feudalism like
Charlemagne,
King of the Franks, First of the Holy Roman Emperors. His advancements
in government were not his only advancements though. He created an
educational system for his people. While far behind the public and private
educational systems of today, in the 8th and 9th century, it was a start. He
also helped spread Christianity throughout Europe. Born in Northern Europe
in 752, he was to become one of history's great leaders, and precursor to
the Holy Roman Empire.
Brief History of the Line of Frankish kings.
In 481, Clovis became king of one of the Frankish tribes. Because of a bet
he made with his wife, he became Christian, and he forced 3,000 of his
soldiers to become Christian also. This would eventually gain the support of
the Catholic Church for both himself and the Franks. However, Clovis's
qualities as a leader were not passed on to his sons, and on Clovis's death,
his sons divided the kingdom that he worked to build. Later Merovingian
kings became inept at ruling the kingdom, and eventually became kings in
just name only. The business of ruling the kingdom was left to the "Mayor of
the Palace". In 751, Pope Zacharias arranged for Childeric III to be sent to
a monastery and for Pepin, Mayor of the Palace, to be crowned king. But, the
alliance between the Papacy and the Franks would soon be tested. Aistulf,
king of the Lombards, captured lands north of Rome and announced his
intention to capture Rome itself. In an attempt by the Papacy to prevent
this disaster, the Pope sent out to ask Pepin the Short, for his assistance
in dealing with the Lombards. He would eventually defeat the Lombards in
battle, and the land that was gained was given to the Catholic Church, in
the Donation of Pepin which created the Papal States.
Charles I, or Charlemagne was born in 742. He was the son of Pepin the Short
and Bertrada. Little is known about his childhood, other than the fact that
he liked riding horses and hunting. He attempted to learn how to write, but
was unsuccessful. He did however learn how to speak fluently in Latin,
despite his attempt at learning how to write. Charlemagne's roots can be
traced back to
Ansegis, Mayor of Austrasia and Begga. His most famous ancestors
however, were his father and grandfather,
Pepin the Short
and Charles
Martel, respectively. After the death of Pepin the Short, Charlemagne
and his brother Carloman were proclaimed kings by their supporting nobles,
and were anointed by their respective bishops.
Click here for a history of
Charlemagne.
