Life Of Charlemagne Analysis

Throughout history, the decisions that various leaders made have been debated as to whether or not they were correct in the context of the religion and events occuring at the time. Their individual background and actions are considered in order to accurately determine their intentions. Charlemagne was the ruler of a greatly expanding Frankish empire that was largely Christian. As the king continued to conquer new territories, he began to force the people to convert to Christianity. By examining what we know about his empire and attempt to spread the Christian religion, we can see that Charlemagne did in fact have good intentions, but his method of forcing conversion was not in accordance with God’s will.

Charlemagne was also known as Charles the Great. He was king of the Franks and he united the majority of Western Europe during the early Middle Ages. On top of that, he laid the foundations for modern France and Germany. He attempted to unite all Germanic peoples into one kingdom and convert his subjects to Christianity. Being a skilled military strategist, he spent much of his reign in warfare so that he could manage to accomplish his goals. Because of his position, he encouraged the Carolingian Renaissance.

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, ruled the Franks from 768–814 A.D. He was a kindhearted man, who also a merciless warrior. Charlemagne was resolved to expand his kingdom to a grandiose empire, which he completed especially well. He also converted the nation to Christianity and the nation’s customary language to Latin. People thought he ruled with the sword and with the cross.

Charlemagne lived a really long time for this century. Reigning for forty-four years is an extremely long time. Most people did not even live forty-four years! Due to his lengthy time as a ruler, he was able to complete so many tasks and truly be a legitimate ruler.

This protection was not only needed for land, money, and material objects, but also his opinions and communication of them, religious beliefs and practice dictated

In the 1300's, an Italian scholar named Petrach used the term "dark ages" to describe the medieval period (Movie Talk: The Dark Ages). Petrach applied the "dark" and "light" terms to learning. Petrach believed that the Romans and Ancient Greeks were in the "light" of learning. The following period, the middle ages, was in the "dark''. Ever since he used the term, historians have been debating whether the time period between the 500's and the 1500's were really a "dark age.

Galbert of Bruges presents a story about Charles’ life as the Count of Flanders and how his death was plotted by the Erembalds Family. Galbert was an important notary to Count Charles because he provides an exceptional perspective by including different chapters to his progression. His work is definitely trustworthy because he describes all the succession and disputes that Charles has gone through as the Count of Flanders. As the notary for Charles, Galbert approaches his work with care and respect because he wants the readers to feel honored and pity for what Charles wanted to persuade throughout his reign. Additionally, Galbert provides significant evidences about Charles’ potential opportunities that he could have taken when he was offered many important titles as a result of a prodigious ruling to the Flanders.

Einhard gives several reasons for his writing of Charlemagne. He writes to pay respect to his friend and writes as a way to remember him through history. Through this writing, Einhard expresses himself humbly and possibly inferior in social status. Einhard writes to pay respect to Charlemagne, partly because he believes he is indebted to Charlemagne. Einhard mentions the "foster care bestowed on [him]" as a reason for his writing.

Author of the book, Becoming Charlemagne, by Jeff Sypeck provides a clear glimpse into the life of one of the world’s greatest kings and ruler and later emperor Charlemagne, otherwise known as Karl or Charles the Great. Sypeck creates a vivid and strong look into the time of Charlemagne, early medieval Europe and some other important world leaders, including Pope Leo III, Irene the Byzantine emperor, Alcuin the scholar and Harun al-Rashid ruler of Baghdad. These figures are crucial to the story of Karl becoming Charlemagne, and their stories included in the book help form and symbolize Charlemagne the Ruler. Understanding Charlemagne and early medieval Europe is presented vibrantly throughout the book by in-depth stories, facts and a clear

Charlemagne was the one of the great rulers of early European history. He was the King of the Franks in the 8th century and facilitated great expansion of his empire through conquest and diplomacy. Einhard was a monk who lived under Charlemagne’s rule, and, in a glowing light, he wrote a biography of Charlemagne. Einhard describes many of Charlemagne’s achievements, and he also writes about Charlemagne’s character. Einhard believed Charlemagne was a great leader because of his military success, his beautification of the kingdom, and his exceptional character qualities.

Primary Source Paper 2 The Life of Charlemagne was written by Einhard a little after Charlemagne death in 814. Einhard wrote the biography to make sure that Charlemagne’s legacy would not be forgotten. He would list many points in this biography, but I’ve decided to only point out three of them. These three chapters are his deeds, his family life, and his life with the Christian religion.

His son Louis the Pious did rule until 840, but his three sons would then divide the Kingdom into three, definitely ending the Carolingian unity (Alcock, 2002). Some authors claim that some of Charlemagne’s influence would still live on, beyond his Empire (Tierney & Painter, 1992, Delanty, 2013, Dawson, 1946), others believe it is better described as the end to an era (Barraclough, 1963, Mikkeli, 1998). Tierney & Painter (1992) argue, as mentioned before, that the ‘fusion’ of cultures would surpass the actual Empire, it would live on. They argue that after its downfall it laid the base for certain medieval institutions that spread around Europe, like feudalism. Delanty (2013) agrees, also putting emphasize on feudalism as a unifying factor in Europe and saying that the Franks can be seen as the creators of Europe in the making, an ‘embryonic Europe’.

Bishops gained a lot of power with control of church memberships, finances, and the selection of priests. In 590, “Gregory the Great was named Bishop of Rome…and named himself ‘Pope’ and the ‘Head of the Universal Church.’” He was the key to asserting papal primacy and started the requirement of confession and penance. He also worked to convert the pagan kings, hoping more people would follow in their footsteps. With the belief that Constantine left his crown to the papacy, the future Popes had the power to crown the emperor acting as god’s representative.

Christianity is the main religion practiced by Charlemagne and the other Franks throughout France. Religion was the motivation behind everything Charlemagne did for his country and others as well. He wanted to make other countries grow and prosper through Christianity just like he believed France had prospered. He would go from city to city, country to country to try and help the individuals in those places to switch over to Christianity. When those place would not convert Charlemagne would kill those individuals that would not switch religions.

The poem “The Song of Roland” describes events happening during the reign of Charlemagne, who was the king of the Franks. This poem was written after the rule of Charlemagne. Charlemagne was the most perfect Christian king, was the symbol of the spirts for the Crusades, and a pope who is presented as a leader of the Frankish troops in “The Song of Roland”. A lot of “The Song of Roland” expresses old-fashioned, or med-evil, ideals. For example, the extensive use of a “council” by Charlemagne who repeatedly called it his lords together for counsel.