The Death of Charlemagne

Many people have heard of Charlemagne, yet know little or nothing as to who he was and what he did. Actually, Charlemagne was not born Charlemagne, but rather simply Charles. Born in a place unknown on April 2, 742, and the son of Pepin the Short, Charles earned the title Charlemagne, or "Charles the Great" in French, as well as many other titles throughout his long and prosperous reign. His father left the empire to him and his brother Carloman II, but in 771 Carloman II died, leaving Charlemagne as the sole king at the young age of twenty-nine. In the years to follow, he waged many wars and conquered vast areas of land and countless people, thereby adding to the empire that his father left him. Not only did Charlemagne add to his own empire, but he also helped out the church and behaved as the quintessential Catholic. For example, Charles rescued Pope Leo III from imprisonment and sent him back to Rome, complete with an armed escort. Possibly to help repay Charlemagne for his help, possibly for being a good Catholic and an excellent king, or for reasons unknown, on December 25, 800, Charlemagne was declared Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III.…