Charlemagne's full name was Carolus Magnus, Latin for “Charles the Great.” He is also known as Karl der Große in German.¹⁾

Charlemagne was born on April 2, but the exact year is uncertain, either 747 or 748.²⁾

Charlemagne was the son of Pepin the Short, the first king of the Carolingian dynasty, and Bertrada of Laon.³⁾

Charlemagne became King of the Franks in 768, succeeding his father, Pepin the Short.⁴⁾

Charlemagne ruled for 46 years, from 768 until his death in 814.⁵⁾

Initially, Charlemagne co-ruled with his younger brother Carloman I, but Carloman's sudden death in 771 made Charlemagne the sole ruler.⁶⁾

Charlemagne greatly expanded the Frankish Empire, conquering much of Western and Central Europe, including parts of present-day France, Germany, Italy, and beyond.⁷⁾

On Christmas Day in the year 800, Charlemagne was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by Pope Leo III, reviving the title in Western Europe.⁸⁾

Charlemagne is often considered the first Holy Roman Emperor, even though the official Holy Roman Empire was established later.⁹⁾

His coronation marked the revival of the Roman Empire in the West, which had fallen nearly 300 years earlier.¹⁰⁾

Charlemagne initiated the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art, culture, and learning based on classical models.¹¹⁾

Charlemagne promoted education and literacy, founding schools and encouraging the study of Latin, grammar, rhetoric, and logic.¹²⁾

He invited the scholar Alcuin of York to his court, who became one of the leading figures in the Carolingian Renaissance.¹³⁾

Under Charlemagne's rule, the Carolingian minuscule, a standardized script, was developed. It became the basis for modern European handwriting.¹⁴⁾

Charlemagne divided his empire among his three sons, but only one, Louis the Pious, survived to inherit the entire empire.¹⁵⁾

He established the Missi Dominici, royal agents who traveled throughout the empire to ensure local officials were obeying royal orders.¹⁶⁾

Charlemagne reformed the Church, standardizing liturgical practices and strengthening the Church’s ties to the state.¹⁷⁾

He supported missionary efforts to convert pagan tribes, particularly in Saxony and the Slavic regions.¹⁸⁾

Charlemagne fought a series of brutal wars against the Saxons, eventually conquering and Christianizing them.¹⁹⁾

He issued legal decrees known as capitularies, which covered a wide range of topics, from religious to administrative matters.²⁰⁾

Charlemagne was a patron of the arts and letters, commissioning many works of art and literature.²¹⁾

He built a grand palace and chapel at Aachen (modern-day Germany), which became the center of his empire.²²⁾

Charlemagne is often referred to as the “Father of Europe” due to his role in shaping the continent's political and cultural landscape.²³⁾

He formed a close alliance with the papacy, which solidified the relationship between the Frankish kingdom and the Catholic Church.²⁴⁾

Charlemagne used marriage as a diplomatic tool, marrying several times and arranging marriages for his children to form alliances.²⁵⁾

Contemporary accounts describe Charlemagne as tall (around 6 feet 3 inches), with a commanding presence, fair hair, and a full face.²⁶⁾

Charlemagne was reportedly fluent in Latin and understood Greek, though he primarily spoke Old High German.²⁷⁾

Despite being illiterate in his early years, Charlemagne learned to read later in life and took a keen interest in scholarly pursuits.²⁸⁾

Charlemagne reformed the legal system, integrating Roman law with Germanic traditions and issuing numerous legal codes.²⁹⁾

He reformed the coinage system, introducing a silver-based currency that became a standard in Europe for centuries.³⁰⁾

Charlemagne was buried in Aachen Cathedral, and his tomb became a major pilgrimage site.³¹⁾

Charlemagne was canonized by the antipope Paschal III in 1165, although his sainthood is not universally recognized by the Catholic Church.³²⁾

His reign is often seen as a precursor to the idea of a unified Europe, influencing later European leaders.³³⁾

The Charlemagne Prize, awarded annually in Aachen, honors individuals or institutions for their contributions to European unity.³⁴⁾

Charlemagne implemented economic reforms, such as standardizing weights and measures, to promote trade and stability.³⁵⁾

He reorganized the military, establishing a system of feudal obligations that became the basis for medieval European warfare.³⁶⁾

Charlemagne is a central figure in “The Song of Roland,” an epic poem that glorifies his reign and military campaigns.³⁷⁾

Charlemagne has been depicted in countless works of art, including sculptures, paintings, and manuscripts.³⁸⁾

His legal reforms influenced the development of European law, particularly in France and Germany.³⁹⁾

His legendary sword, Joyeuse, is a symbol of his power and is part of the French coronation regalia.⁴⁰⁾

The Annales Regni Francorum, or Annals of the Frankish Kings, provide a detailed account of his reign and accomplishments.⁴¹⁾

Numerous relics and myths have grown around Charlemagne, including claims that he will return to save Europe in its time of need.⁴²⁾

Napoleon Bonaparte admired Charlemagne and saw himself as his successor, even being crowned Emperor in a similar ceremony.⁴³⁾

Charlemagne encouraged the education of women, particularly in religious communities.⁴⁴⁾

Charlemagne’s reign laid the groundwork for the feudal system that would dominate Europe for centuries.⁴⁵⁾