General Notes

Custom Field:<_FA#> King of the Franks;  768 - 814@@S001631@@Tree #0228Date of Import: Aug 29, 2000@@S039904@@Date of Import: May 20, 2002@@S118953@@Date of Import: Nov 16, 2002
Custom Field:<_FA#> Emperor of the West;  800 - 814@@S001631@@Tree #0228Date of Import: Aug 29, 2000@@S039904@@Date of Import: May 20, 2002@@S118953@@Date of Import: Nov 16, 2002
[GarlandPeter.FTW]
[roper pnt out luttrell.ged]
[Brøderbund WFT European Origins Vol. E1, Ed. 1, Tree #0308, Date of
Import: Sep 6, 2000]
Charlemagne began his career as King of the Franks but ended it as
Emperor of
the entire Roman Empire of the West.
As King of France, he gained victory over the Lombards of Italy, the
Saxons of
Northwestern Germany, and a number of other neighbors.  He followed a
policy of
friendship and cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church and was crowned
emperor by the pope on Christmas Day of 800.
Charlemagne's views were liberal and enlightened.  Although he reigned
supreme,
he recognized civil rights for his subjects and a limitation on monarchic
power.  He possesed an unusual amount of learning and vigorously promoted
education.  He invited learned men to his court and established a Palace
School
where noble's sons and clergy were educated.
His great dream was the union of all the nations he had conquered into one
great empire where the power and learning of Rome could be united with the
religion of Christ.  His motivation for war seemed to be the conversion
of the
heathens to Christianity.  His last words were, "Now, Lord, into thy
hands I
commit my spirit."