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Charlemagne the great legacy
Two lives of charlemagne sparknotes
Charlemagne the great legacy
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History Debate Paper
Known as the father of Europe, Charlemagne was a medieval emperor who ruled as King of the Franks and was the ruler of the Holy Roman emperor. Throughout his reign he committed many remarkable acts, earning his place has one of the most influential leaders of medieval europe. Under Charlemagne's rule Europe received a kind of stabilization it had not seen since before the fall of the Roman Empire, through his efforts in stabilizing Europe with his successful conquests and his unification of his empire and reforms under Christianity Charlemagne is the greatest person in history.
The fall of the Roman Empire in the late 5th-century plunged Western Europe into the Dark ages, leadership was fragmented and there was no central
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authority. One of those fragmented kingdoms was modern day France, who were under the control of the Franks, a Germanic tribe. Charlemagne was born the son of the Frankish king and former mayor of the palace Pepin the Short, after his death Charlemagne took the Frankish throne alongside his brother Carloman. However, Carloman would soon die and Charlemagne would become sole leader of the Franks. As the leader of the Franks Charlemagne sought to unite all of the Germanic tribes and peoples into one kingdom under Christianity. In order to complete this goal Charlamagne engaged in military conquests, at which he was extremely successful according to history.com. The first kingdom that he conquered as sole ruler of the Franks was the Lombards and in 774 he was received by Pope Adrian I in Rome for his efforts and crowned King of the Lomads. After conquering Lombardy, Charlemagne turned his attention to Benevento. The conquering of these regions served to unite the Germanic people, bring wealth to the Franks and protect the Holy Sea. While fighting in his Italian conquests Charlemagne also declared war against the axons, he would eventually win the conflict and convert the Saxons to Christianity. The most famous of his conquests was his Spanish conquest, during which he gained territory from the Muslims. Charlemagne would also conquer Bavaria and acquire its territory for his empire. Another remarkable feat made by Charlemagne was his conquering of the Avars or Huns, and making them into a tributary state. On Christmas Day, 800 Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III, this signalled the joining of the Germanic people under Christianity.
Another remarkable act that speaks to Charlemagne's catholic leadership is his famous twelve peers or paladins who were the foremost warriors of Charlemagne’s court. Furthermore, Charlamagne played an important role in the Catholic organization the Knight’s temple, which was a religious military order, according to gnostic warrior.com. Under Charmalgme’s leadership reforms were also performed, such as limiting the power of nobles. This was a strategic move which increased his in power and the loyalty of his people towards him. Charlemagne also changed Europe from a gold standard to silver standard which allowed trade to prosper. This brought more wealth to his empire and increased his popularity. Additionally, Charlemagne encouraged the increase of latin, in order to allow people to communicate easier. Charlemagne also ordered the creation of monasteries and schools.
The Father of Europe Charlemagne was an influential leader of the medieval ages. Under his reign Europe saw a kind stability it had not seen since before the fall of the Roman Empire. Charlemagne provided stability to Europe through his conquests of the Germanic tribes and united Europe under Catholicism and
reforms. Works Cited History.com Staff. “Charlemagne.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/charlemagne. Sullivan, Richard E. “Charlemagne.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 Dec. 2017, www.britannica.com/biography/Charlemagne. BBC Staff. “History - Charlemagne.” BBC, BBC, 2014, www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/charlemagne.shtml. Shahan, Thomas, and Ewan Macpherson. "Charlemagne." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 9 May 2018 (-- removed HTML --) . "Charlemagne." Encyclopedia of World Biography. . Encyclopedia.com. 23 Apr. 2018 (-- removed HTML --) .
Before Charlemagne and the Carolingian empire, there was in no proper sense a “Western Europe”. For the romans, everything geographically was centered around Mare Nostrum, the medditerrian.* The lands surrounding the Mediterranean sea, Hispania, Italy, Greece, and north Africa were all seen as being closer to together geographically and culturally, then the lands of Gaul or Germania. Even after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe was seen as everything away from the northern coast of the Mediterranean, usually only Gaul and Rhineland.*
Charlemagne accomplishes many deeds. One includes Charlemagne capturing the Breton’s. He conquers their land in the westernmost part of Gaul since they did not listen to him (25). Charlemagne, in his lifetime, will go through many wars. Many among those are listed in Notker. Notker his second book on Charlemagne goes into more detail about how the wars were brought about. Wars His rule is not limited to wars. Charlemagne sought out to initiate a sort of Renaissance period
Charlemagne is described by Janet Nelson as being a role model for Einhard. Einhard himself writes in the first paragraph of The Life of Charlemagne, “After I decided to write about the life, character and no small part of the accomplishments of my lord and foster father, Charles, that most excellent and deservedly famous king, I determined to do so with as much brevity as I could.” I feel that these are sincere words about the man who cared for Einhard. I feel that Einhard’s purpose for writing The Life of Charlemagne is to praise the works of his “foster-father” and create a historical document that would describe the great deeds of Charlemagne so that he would not be forgotten throughout time as a great leader and man.
The most famous work about Charlemagne is a book entitled The Two Lives of Charlemagne which consists of two separate biographies published into one book and tells the story of Charlemagne's life as two different people experienced it. Apart from this, there are many other places you can turn to learn more about the life of the king of the Franks, including letters, capitularies, inventories, annals, and more. However, each of these sources seem to paint a different picture of Charlemagne. In one, he seems to be a very average guy; in another, a mythical being, almost god-like; and a strong and firm political leader in yet another. It is because of this of this that we will never really know exactly who Charlemagne was or what he was like, but we do have an idea of what he did and how he lived thanks to those who decided to preserve it.
Einhard, in his The Life of Charlemagne, makes clear the fundamental integration of politics and religion during the reign of his king. Throughout his life, Charles the Great endeavored to acquire and use religious power to his desired ends. But, if Charlemagne was the premiere monarch of the western world, why was religious sanction and influence necessary to achieve his goals? In an age when military power was the primary means of expanding one's empire, why did the most powerful military force in Europe go to such great lengths to ensure a benevolent relationship with the church? One possibility may be found in the tremendous social and political influence of Rome and her papacy upon the whole of the continent. Rather than a force to be opposed, Charlemagne viewed the church as a potential source of political power to be gained through negotiation and alliance. The relationship was one of great symbiosis, and both componants not only survived but prospered to eventually dominate western Europe. For the King of the Franks, the church provided the means to accomplish the expansion and reformation of his empire. For the Holy Roman Church, Charles provided protection from invaders and new possibilities for missionary work.
...become great and victorious. There is the concept of how everything that Charlemagne did was for his enemies to be converted to Christianity and nothing else. Through the different interpretations, the argument for religious motives was the strongest. Charlemagne used military tactics in a misguided attempt to further the kingdom of God.
First, each ruler embodied an aspect of his religion, which stemmed from their respective cultures. Einhard has many references to the way the Frankish king portrayed himself as a Christian ruler, for example, he affords the reader with a detailed account of Charlemagne’s worship habits. On pages 54 and 55, he writes, “He (Charlemagne) was a constant worshipper at this church. . . going morning and evening, even after nightfall…”. In addition to his personal participation in worship, he was also extremely charitable in his own country, and even beyond his own realm. Upon hearing of the impoverished Christians living in Syria, Egypt, and Africa, he immediately became sympathetic and attempted to send money to them. In accordance with the charity within his country, he once donated such a vast number of clerical robes that even those in the least important positions of the Church were obligated to wear them. He undertook maintenance and building projects for the Churches, such as the basilica at Aix-la-Chapelle. Charlemagne also had spec...
Throughout the Ages there have been many leaders who were known for their great rule. One of these great men during the 8th century was Charlemagne. The Life of Charlemagne was written by Einhard, a Frankish elite who had the privilege of working in the courts of Charlemagne. The book did not come out till after Charlemagne’s death but, it goes through his life in a thematic fashion. Einhard sets the book by first addressing deeds, habits, and then administration. This writing was one of the first of its kind. While there were many biographies written on the lives of saints known as hagiography, this was the first of its kind to be written about a secular ruler since the time of Antiquity. I will begin by talking about Charlemagne’s rise to power, then about his character and personality, and finally his relationship with his family.
A negative short term effect charlemagne contributed to was the intellectual activity of Western Europe beginning a slow recovery since the fall of the Roman Empire. Short term, Charlemagne established a substantial empire in France and Germany, and in the long term, when Charlemagne died, his empire did not last long after his death. The empire was then divided for each of his three grandsons. In the short term, Charlemagne helped expand Christianity in Western Europe after a brutal war, as a positive long term effect Christianity eventually expanded across Europe. In the short term he was also able to unify Western Europe after the time of Rome’s fall, as well as his contribution to the Roman Empire that had expanded due to his power. In the Long term, the Roman Empire helped many citizens to convert to
Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, became the undisputed ruler of Western Europe, “By the sword and the cross.” (Compton’s 346) As Western Europe was deteriorating Charlemagne was crowned the privilege of being joint king of the Franks in 768 A.D. People of Western Europe, excluding the church followers, had all but forgotten the great gifts of education and arts that they had possessed at one time. Charlemagne solidly defeated barbarians and kings in identical fashion during his reign. Using the re-establishment of education and order, Charlemagne was able to save many political rights and restore culture in Western Europe.
The Medieval Times for Europe, from the 400 AD till 1400 AD, are often labeled as “The Dark Ages”. This time period has begun after a turning point known as Fall of Rome. It caused Rome to divide into two well-known civilizations: Medieval Europe, Islam, and The Byzantine Empire. Also, Medieval Europe led to a well known utopian period of “rebirth” identified as the Renaissance. The time period between 400 CE and 1400 CE wasn’t a “Dark Age” for Europe because of progress in academic success, blossom in architecture, and religious unity along with government. It wasn’t a cultural decay or decline because of the legendary time period it led to.
During the period after the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, Europe experienced a time known as the Dark Ages. During this time period, much of the knowledge that had been learned was lost. Political control was transferred to barbaric invaders, such as the Goths, Vandals, and Huns. These groups destroyed many buildings and artworks that had existed during the time of the Roman Empire. Most people were illiterate, and much of the previously learned knowledge was lost (“Dark Ages”). However, arts and knowledge still flourished in the East.
The Church played a vital role in the kingdom of Charlemagne. It gave a sense
Religion is among one of the aspects that defines culture. This was a key concept for those living in the Middle Ages, whose lives were dominated by religion. More specifically, those in high positions of the church dominated their lives because the church provided a unified culture, or belief system. In fact, in the Early Middle Ages, rulers needed the support of the church to legitimize their rule. This was the case for Charlemagne, who united much of Western Europe and converted his subjects to Christianity. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans in 800(History). “The assumption of the title of emperor of Charlemagne in
Europe was plagued in a century’s long Dark Age before a very important man came along. His name was Charlemagne. He came along and turned on the light. By encouraging culture, education and arts, the eighth century king that eventually became the first Holy Roman Emperor, dragged the land out of a stagnation that was though to never end. Both a feared warrior and in many ways the first Renaissance man, Charlemagne's victories in the battlefield and on the political battlefield was believed to be the first European identity.