Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and Emperor of the Carolingian Empire from 800. He united most of Western and Central Europe and was the first recognised emperor to rule from the west after the fall of the Western Roman Empire about three centuries earlier. His reign brought political, social and cultural changes that shaped Europe throughout the Middle Ages, and many historians call him the Father of Europe.
Background and rise
Charlemagne was the eldest son of Pepin the Short, a member of the Frankish Carolingian dynasty. He became king of the Franks in 768 jointly with his brother Carloman, and became sole ruler three years later. He continued his father's policy of protecting the papacy and removed the Lombards from power in northern Italy in 774. His reign also saw campaigns that extended his rule over Bavaria, Saxony, northern Spain and much of Europe, during which he spread Christianity to newly conquered peoples.
Imperial title and reforms
In 800 Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor in Rome, marking the height of his prestige, although historians debate the coronation's significance. As the first emperor in the West in over three centuries, he came into conflict with the Eastern Roman Empire. His assumption of the title made him a forerunner of the Holy Roman Emperors. As king and emperor he carried out reforms in administration, law, education, the military and religion, and the stability of his reign launched the Carolingian Renaissance. He died in 814 and was buried at Aachen.