During the Middle Ages (about AD 500-1500) one of the most powerful European kings was Charlemagne.
(Charlemagne - Карл I Великий).
Charlemagne was a Frank. The Franks were a people who lived in parts of what are now France and Germany. When he became the one and only ruler of the Frankish lands in AD 771, Charlemagne wanted to make his kingdom bigger and stronger. He also wanted to spread Christianity and protect the Roman Catholic church.
With this plan in mind, Charlemagne spent 30 years battling the Saxons, another Germanic people. In these and many other wars, Charlemagne gained control over much of western Europe, including what is now France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and half of Italy and Germany.
In 794 Charlemagne established his capital at Aachen in western Germany. In the year 800, the pope crowned him emperor of the whole region.
With this plan in mind, Charlemagne spent 30 years battling the Saxons, another Germanic people. In these and many other wars, Charlemagne gained control over much of western Europe, including what is now France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and half of Italy and Germany.
In 794 Charlemagne established his capital at Aachen in western Germany. In the year 800, the pope crowned him emperor of the whole region.
He worked with leaders of the church to improve the church and government. And he sent out special agents to make sure that his laws were being obeyed.
Charlemagne brought about many improvements in the empire. He set up a new money system and reformed the law courts. He built a large court library and set up a school at his palace court. He was concerned with educating the ordinary people and improving the learning of priests. He hoped education would make his people better Christians.
Charlemagne died in 814. Today he is remembered as one of the most important rulers in European history. In fact, he’s sometimes called the father of Europe.
Charlemagne brought about many improvements in the empire. He set up a new money system and reformed the law courts. He built a large court library and set up a school at his palace court. He was concerned with educating the ordinary people and improving the learning of priests. He hoped education would make his people better Christians.
Charlemagne died in 814. Today he is remembered as one of the most important rulers in European history. In fact, he’s sometimes called the father of Europe.
