CHARLEMAGNE King of the Franks, King of the Lombards, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
Most of the us know Charlemagne (which means Charles the Great) from history classes. I will discuss a little of these historical facts but I want to focus more on the man himself.
Charles was born in Prussia (Germany) in 742, and named for his famous grandfather, Charles "The Hammer" Martel. As the son of King Pippin, he grew up quickly and was taught from his youth about his responsibility to and for the people he would rule one day.
At his father's death, the kingdom was divided between Charles and his younger brother. However, his brother, Carloman, died within two years, and Charles was now responsible for the entire kingdom.
In the 47 years of his reign, Charles had 53 military campaigns...it has been said that " 'By the sword and the cross' Charlemagne became the master of Western Europe".
Today, Charlemagne is regarded as not only the founding father of both the French and German monarchies, but also the "Father of Europe".
Charles is also credited with the ushering in of the beginnings of the Renaissance. It was the custom at that time in history for jesters to entertain during dinner. Instead, Charles would have scholars read from works about history, scholarship, and the classics. He also studied rhetoric; astronomy; logic; and, math. He spoke German; old Teutonic; literary Latin; and understood Greek. He continued to persue education throughout his lifetime and encouraged both education and culture of all those in his family, in his court, and in his kingdom.
Charles is described by his contemporaries as " tall and stately, standing 6ft 4 inches"; "his hair was long and flowing and light in color"; "his face is laughing and merry"; "his eyes are large and animated"; "his gait is firm and his carriage dignifed and manly"; "his voice is clear and strong"; and, "He was temperate in eating and drinking, and abominated drunkedness. He kept in good health despite every exposure and hardship."
Charles died at his palace in Aachen on 28 January 814, in his 72nd year. He had been in good health and had enjoyed hunting earlier that month. He remained a vigorous man until the last week of his life. Charles often bathed in hot springs and modern day scientist and physicans speculate from historical accounts of his symptoms that he caught a chill after his last trip to the hot springs and that it progressed into pleurisy.
Charles received holy communion at 9am on the morning of the 28th, and died later that day.
HOW ARE WE RELATED TO CHARLEMAGNE? Christine Pearl
Aldred was the daughter of Essie Melinda
Chapman; Essie was the daughter of Delia Pearl
Lackey; and, Delia was the daughter of Mary Melvina
Stringer. It is through the
Stringer family line that we find marriages through the Dickersons; Andrews; Knightlys; Throckmartins; LeSpines; deMontfords; Beaumonts; Comyn, Earl of Buchan; etc, all the way to Hugh Capet, King of France; and, King Robert I, King of the Franks.
Charlemagne is Christine's 43rd great-grandfather.
SIDE NOTE: However, in my research of documented genealogy, I have found that we are related to Charlemagne through more than one family line. And, through this other lineage, I have been surprised to find that we also have ties to nobility in Spain and Belguim.
