Charlemagne [Emperor of] ROME

                   SOURCES:  1. Tab. Gen. Souv., France 22, Tab. III
             2. Die Nachkommen Karls des Grossen, Germ Pub BT, v. 11, p. 3
             3. Keiser und Koenig Hist., Gen Hist 25, pt 1, p. 6-7
             4. Ahnen Karl der Grossen, Germ FH 694, p. 104
HISTORY NOTE:  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 possessed 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."