Charlemagne HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE

                   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
HISTORICAL NOTES:
      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 overthe 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 sonsand 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 beunited 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."