• General Notes

  TITLE:  HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR
  NOTE:
  Carolingian King of the Franks. By 800 Charlemagne was undisputed ruler of Western Europe. His realm encompassed France, schweiz, Belgium, The Netherlands, half of Italy and Germany, parts of Austria and Spain. Founder of the Holy Roman Empire (742 - 814 A.D). Opened offensive against Saxons 772 - pursued policy of subjugating them for over 30 years with mass executions 782. Subjugated Lombards 773/774, assumed title King of the Lombards. Absorbed Duchy of Bayern 788. Conquered Avars, a huge Tatar tribe on the Danube, within 10 years. Fought disastrous campaign 778 against Muslims in España. Accepted title of Emperor of the West, crowned by Pope Leo III 23/24 Dec 800. Counts appointed as defenders of fortified cities - districts. Bishops appointed in same places as Counts. Fortified frontier areas called Marks - Marches. The Carolingian empire encompassed the Salien and Ripuarian Franks, Romans, Saxons, Lombards, Bavarians, Thuringians and Jews. He also established a Palatine Court. Though Charlemagne did not use the title, he is considered first Holy Roman Emperor. At Charlemagne's death in 814 only one of his three sons, Louis, was living. Louis's weak rule brought on the rise of civil wars and revolts. After his death his three quarreling sons split the empire between them by the Partition of Verdun in 843.
  

Details of (H.R.E.) Charlemagne's family with (Empress) Hildegard Von VINZGAU