Last Updated:

2024-04-13 14:37:32

Charlemagne

King of the Franks and Emperor of Carolingian Empire

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King of the Franks and Emperor of Carolingian Empire

Charlemagne, a member of the Frankish Carolingian dynasty, united Western Central Europe and became the first recognized emperor in the West after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. His reign brought political, social, and religious changes, and he is considered the 'Father of Europe'.

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732

Arabs defeated at Tours by Charles Martel

In 732, Charles Martel led the Frankish forces to victory against the Arab invaders at the Battle of Tours, also known as the Battle of Poitiers. This battle is considered a turning point in European history as it halted the Muslim advance into Western Europe.

0742-01-01

Birth of Charlemagne

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was born in Aachen to Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon.

742-04-02

Birth of Charles the Great (Charlemagne)

Charles the Great, also known as Charlemagne, was born on April 2, 742. He was a significant figure in European history, known for his military conquests and role in the Carolingian dynasty.

0747-04-02

Birth of Charlemagne

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, was born on April 2, 747. He later became the Carolingian Emperor of Europe and played a significant role in shaping the history of the region.

748

Birth of Charlemagne

Charlemagne, the first-born son of Pepin the Short and his wife Bertada, was born in 748.

751

Pippin III Seizes the Frankish Throne

In 751, with papal approval, Charlemagne's father, Pippin III, took control of the Frankish throne from the last Merovingian king, Childeric III. This event marked a significant shift in power dynamics within the Frankish kingdom.

0751-04-01

Pepin the Short becomes King

Pepin the Short becomes king by overthrowing the Merovingian king and seizing the throne.

756

Donation of Pippin

In 756, Pippin III made a significant donation to the papacy, granting a block of territory in central Italy. This donation, known as the Donation of Pippin, laid the foundation for the creation of the Papal States.

760

Charlemagne begins issuing charters in his own name

In 760, Charlemagne started issuing official documents in his own name, signifying his increasing authority and power.

0768

Division of Francia Kingdom

Upon Pepin's death, the Francia kingdom was divided between his two sons, Carloman I and Charlemagne, resulting in a dual kingship.

768-09-24

Death of Pepin and succession of Charlemagne and Carloman

On September 24, 768, Pepin died during a campaign in Aquitaine, leading to Charlemagne and Carloman succeeding their father as joint rulers.

768-10-09

Coronations of Charlemagne and Carloman

On October 9, 768, Charlemagne was crowned at Noyon and Carloman at Soissons, signifying their joint rule over the Frankish kingdom.

770

Charlemagne marries Desiderata

In 770, Charlemagne marries Desiderata, the daughter of Lombard King Desiderius. This marriage raised concerns for the Pope and Charlemagne's brother due to the political implications.

0771-12

Carloman I's Death

After Carloman I's death under unknown circumstances, Charlemagne becomes the sole ruler of the Frankish kingdom.

771-12-04

Death of Carloman and Charlemagne becomes sole king

On December 4, 771, Carloman passed away suddenly, leaving Charlemagne as the sole ruler of the Franks.

0772-01-01

First Raid on the Saxons

Charlemagne successfully launches the first raid on the Saxons, initiating a thirty-year campaign to convert pagan tribes to Christianity.

773

Charlemagne invades Italy

In 773, Charlemagne invaded Italy to remove King Desiderius from the Lombardy throne and took control of the kingdom for himself.

0774-01-01

Charlemagne becomes King of the Lombards

Charlemagne conquers Lombardy and ascends to the throne as the King of the Lombards.

774-06

Surrender of Pavia and Charlemagne's takeover of Lombards

In June 774, disease struck the besieged Lombards, leading to their surrender of the city of Pavia. Charlemagne deposed Desiderius and took the title of King of the Lombards for himself.

775

Attacks against the Saxons

In 775, Charlemagne began new attacks against the Saxons and their leader Widukind.

776

Charlemagne's campaign against the Saxons

In 776, Charlemagne waged a brief but destructive campaign against the Saxons, leading to their submission and conversion to Christianity.

777

Charlemagne invited into Spain by Zaragoza

In 777, Zaragoza extended an invitation to Charlemagne to enter Spain, marking a significant diplomatic gesture.

778

Battle of Roncesvalles

In 778, Charlemagne faced his only defeat as his rearguard was destroyed during the retreat from Spain in the Battle of Roncesvalles.

779

Charlemagne's campaign in Saxony

In 779, Charlemagne sent an army to Saxony to counter raids by the Saxons. He also held assemblies, legislated, and addressed a famine in Francia.

781-04-30

Death of Hildegard

Hildegard, wife of Charlemagne, died on April 30, 783, due to complications from childbirth. Charlemagne commissioned epitaphs for both his wife and daughter, and arranged for daily masses at Hildegard's tomb.

782

Massacre of Verden

In 782, Charlemagne ordered the beheading of 4,500 Saxon prisoners in what is known as the Massacre of Verden. This event was a significant stain on Charlemagne's reputation.

0783

Zaragoza invites Charlemagne into Spain

In 783, the city of Zaragoza extended an invitation to Charlemagne, the Frankish king, to intervene in the affairs of Spain.

783-04-30

Death of Hildegarde

Hildegarde dies in childbirth on April 30, 783. This event marked a significant loss for Charlemagne.

783-07-12

Death of Charlemagne's mother, Bertrada

Charlemagne's mother, Bertrada, passed away shortly after the death of Hildegard, on July 12, 783.

785

End of Saxon resistance

By 785, Charlemagne had successfully suppressed the Saxon resistance and gained complete control of Westphalia. He met Widukind, who agreed to be baptized, marking the end of this phase of the Saxon Wars.

786

Charlemagne's campaign in Italy

In 786, Charlemagne marched into the Duchy of Benevento in Italy to extend his influence. He accepted the submission of Duke Arechis and met with envoys from Constantinople.

787

Launch of Charles' educational plan with the establishment of schools

In 787, Charles initiates his educational reform by mandating bishops and abbots to establish schools in proximity to churches and monasteries. This marks the beginning of a significant educational initiative under Charlemagne's reign.

788-01-01

Charlemagne Pilgrimage to Rome; Pepin Crowned King of Italy

Charlemagne goes on a pilgrimage to Rome while his son Pepin is declared King of Italy. During this time, Charlemagne meets Alcuin who agrees to join his court.

789

Charles the Younger's Rule over Maine

In 789, Charlemagne appointed Charles the Younger to rule over Maine in Neustria, leaving Pepin the Hunchback as his only son without lands. This decision affected the succession and led to internal tensions within Charlemagne's family.

792

Council of Regensburg on Adoptionism

Charlemagne summoned a council at Regensburg in 792 to address the theological controversy over Adoptionism in the Spanish church. The council condemned Adoptionism as a heresy and produced the Libri Carolini in response to the Second Council of Nicea.

794

Council of Frankfurt

In 794, Charlemagne called a council at Frankfurt to confirm the decisions made at the Council of Regensburg regarding Adoptionism and Nicea. The council also addressed various ecclesiastical and administrative matters, including the reform of the Frankish coinage system.

795

Pope Leo III becomes Pope

In 795, Pope Hadrian passes away, and Leo III is appointed as the new Pope.

796

Construction of the cathedral in Aachen begins

In 796, the construction of the cathedral in Aachen, a significant architectural and religious project, commences.

799-04-25

Charlemagne's Invasion of the Avars

Charlemagne launches military campaigns against the Avars, leading to the conquest of their empire which includes present-day Austria and Hungary.

800-12-25

Charlemagne Crowned Holy Roman Emperor

After assisting Pope Leo III, Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day in a grand ceremony at Saint Peter's Basilica. Pope Leo III presented Charles with a gold crown.

801

Expansion of Spanish March Counties

In 801, Charlemagne's son Louis led campaigns against the Emirate of Cordoba, resulting in the capture of Barcelona and significant expansion of the Spanish March counties.

802

Capitulare missorum generale

The Capitulare missorum generale issued in 802 reformed the institution of royal officials and required loyalty oaths from free men, enhancing Charlemagne's governance and control over his empire.

804-01-01

Defeat of the Saxons

After a war lasting over 30 years, Charlemagne finally defeats the Saxons, expanding his empire even further.

806

Divisio Regnorum

The 806 charter Divisio Regnorum set the terms of Charlemagne's succession, dividing his empire among his sons and ensuring peace among his descendants.

0807

Peace Treaty between Charlemagne and Nikephoros I

In 807, a peace treaty was signed between the Frankish king Charlemagne and the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I, aiming to establish peace and diplomatic relations between the two powerful rulers.

809

Council of Aachen

Charlemagne summoned a council at Aachen in 809 to address the dispute over the recitation of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, defending the use of filioque. Pope Leo affirmed the text of the creed omitting the phrase.

810

Diplomatic Relations with Constantinople

In 810, Charlemagne sent envoys to Constantinople to make peace with the Byzantine Empire, giving up his claims to Veneto. This marked a significant diplomatic achievement in his relations with the East.

811

Charlemagne's Peace with Michael

After deteriorating relations with Baghdad following Harun's death, Charlemagne engaged in negotiations with Constantinople that led to peace with Michael in 811.

0812-01-01

Charlemagne Recognized as Emperor by Byzantine Emperor

Byzantine emperor, Michael I, officially acknowledges Charlemagne as an emperor, although not as a 'Roman' emperor, solidifying the power Charles already held.

0813-04-01

Charlemagne Delegates Power to Louis the Pious

Charles entrusts regal power to Louis, his final surviving legitimate son, passing on the responsibilities of the empire.

813-09-11

Louis Crowned as Co-Emperor

In a ceremony on 11 September 813, Charlemagne formally crowned his son Louis as his co-emperor, solidifying the succession within the Carolingian dynasty.

0814-01-28

Death of Charlemagne

Charlemagne passes away due to old age, leading to the succession of his son, Louis the Pious, to the throne.

843

Treaty of Verdun

After the death of Louis the Pious, the Treaty of Verdun divided the Carolingian Empire among his sons into West, East, and Middle Francia, marking the beginning of the end of Carolingian unity.

865

Visio Karoli Magni

The Latin poem Visio Karoli Magni, written around 865, uses facts from Einhard's work to create a visionary tale of Charlemagne's meeting with a prophetic spectre in a dream.

962

Coronation of Otto the Great

Otto the Great, King of East Francia, was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 962, establishing a new imperial line and the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire.

1000

Emperor Otto II attempts to have Charlemagne canonised as a saint

Emperor Otto II made an attempt to have Charlemagne declared a saint in the year 1000, showing the reverence and importance placed on Charlemagne in medieval Europe.

1165

Frederick Barbarossa convinces Antipope Paschal III to elevate Charlemagne to sainthood

In 1165, Frederick Barbarossa persuaded Antipope Paschal III to raise Charlemagne to the status of a saint, although this act was not recognized by the Holy See in Rome.

1270

La Joyeuse - Sword of Charlemagne

The sword known as La Joyeuse, believed to be Charlemagne's sword, has been used in coronations since 1270. It remains a symbol of power and authority.

1806

Dissolution of Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire, founded by Otto the Great in 962, lasted as an institution until its dissolution in 1806, marking the end of a significant political entity in Europe.

1861

Opening of Charlemagne's tomb

In 1861, Charlemagne's tomb was opened by scientists, who reconstructed his skeleton and measured it at 1.92 metres (6 ft 4 in) in length.

1949

Karlspreis der Stadt Aachen

The city of Aachen established the Karlspreis der Stadt Aachen in 1949, an international prize awarded annually to individuals who promote the idea of European unity in honor of Charlemagne.

2010

Estimate of Charlemagne's height

A 2010 estimate of Charlemagne's height from an X-ray and CT scan of his tibia was 1.84 metres (6 ft 0 in), putting him in the 99th percentile of height for his period.

2014

Confirmation of Charlemagne's Skull

In 2014, researchers confirmed that the skull and bones in Aachen belonged to Charlemagne. The examination revealed characteristics matching historical descriptions of Charlemagne.

End of the Timeline
Charlemagne