Author(s): Derek Wilson

History

As Edward Gibbon wrote, 'Europe dates a new era from Charlemagne's restoration of the Western Empire'. He was the bridge between the ancient world and a world power block of Europe. This Frankish chieftain (born in 742), son of Pepin the Short, repeated the military exploits of Julius Caesar but possessed a mind ignorant of classical culture. He ruled with the sagacity of a Marcus Aurelius, but the general who could order the summary dispatch of 4,500 was equally reminiscent of Caligula. But Charlemagne's activities were not confined to warfare. He introduced Jury Courts, revised the legal system, introduced new coinage, reformed weights and measures, furthered missionary enterprises and monastic reform. He even began a German grammar and promised religious instruction in the vernacular. He lives on as dramatically in legend, particularly in the Chanson de Bland, and his quarter century of imperial splendour is a truly incredible adventure story.