Charlemagne - The First Emperor without an Empire
In the year 800 AD, a hairy and intimidating figure rose to power in Europe. This figure was none other than Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, who was the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne was a towering figure who stood at over six feet tall, had a beard so long it could wrap around his waist, and a temper so short it could cut marble.
Charlemagne was born in 742 AD and was the son of Frankish King Pepin the Short. When Pepin died in 768 AD, Charlemagne and his brother Carloman inherited the kingdom. However, after Carloman died in 771 AD, Charlemagne became the sole ruler of the Frankish kingdom.
Charlemagne’s reign was marked by his love for conquest and his constant desire to expand his empire. He was known as a brutal warrior who would stop at nothing to gain more territory. It is said that he once ate an entire horse in one sitting to prove his dominance.
Charlemagne was not only a fierce warrior but also a patron of the arts. He founded schools and universities, commissioned architects to design magnificent buildings, and supported famous artists like Alcuin of York.
Charlemagne was a deeply religious man and saw himself as the champion of Christianity. He fought many battles against the Muslims and the pagan Saxons who resisted his attempts to convert them to Christianity. However, despite his love for the faith, he was notorious for his personal vices. His gluttony was legendary, and he was known to consume vast amounts of alcohol in one sitting.
Despite his many achievements, Charlemagne’s greatest legacy was his creation of the Holy Roman Empire. However, his attempt at unifying Europe under one ruler was short-lived, and the empire quickly fell apart after his death in 814 AD.
Today, Charlemagne is remembered as a towering figure in European history, a man who loved conquest, religion, and food in equal measure. He may have been the first emperor without an empire but left behind a legacy that still resonates today.