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Charlemagne (Charles the Great) was the second leader of the [[Carolingian Dynasty]] and ruled the [[Franks]] from AD 768 to 814.  He was a Christian and did much to expand both his kingdom and Christianity.  Though illiterate himself, he promoted education, starting palace schools, and attempted to reestablish the Roman Empire. He was crowned by the [[Pope]] as [Holy Roman Emperor]] in 800 AD, which marked the beginning of [[Holy Roman Empire]].

Charlemagne (Charles the Great) was the second leader of the [[Carolingian Dynasty]] and ruled the [[Franks]] from AD 768 to 814.  He was a [[Christian]] and did much to expand both his kingdom and Christianity.  Though illiterate himself, he promoted education, starting palace schools, and attempted to reestablish the Roman Empire. He was crowned by the [[Pope]] as [[Holy Roman Emperor]] in 800 AD, which marked the beginning of [[Holy Roman Empire]].

==Early life==

==Early life==

He was the grandson of [[Charles Martel]] the powerful Mayor of the Palace. When King [[Childeric III]] was deposed at Soissons and replaced with his father he became the Heir Apparent to the Frankish throne. He was included by his father in much of the day to day duties to properly educate him to take the reins.

He was the grandson of [[Charles Martel]] the powerful Mayor of the Palace. When King [[Childeric III]] was deposed at Soissons and replaced with his father he became the Heir Apparent to the Frankish throne. He was included by his father in much of the day to day duties to properly educate him to take the reins.

==Song of Roland Depiction==

==Song of Roland Depiction==

He is depicted in the epic poem "[[Song of Roland]]" as being significantly above human height, and 200 years old.  The exaggerations are obvious markers of the [[oral tradition]] common to the era.  The poem begins with a description of the Emperor:

He is depicted in the epic poem "[[Song of Roland]]" as being significantly above human height, and 200 years old.  The exaggerations are obvious markers of the [[oral tradition]] common to the era.  The poem begins with a description of the Emperor:

:: He'll not escape the ruin that awaits.<ref>''Song of Roland,'' trans. Dorothy Sayers, available [http://www.amazon.com/Song-Roland-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140440755/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6896887-5284101?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174767907&sr=8-1 here]</ref>

:: He'll not escape the ruin that awaits.<ref>''Song of Roland,'' trans. Dorothy Sayers, available [http://www.amazon.com/Song-Roland-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140440755/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6896887-5284101?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1174767907&sr=8-1 here]</ref>

Careful readers notice markers of typical medeival Christian anti-Muslim [[polemic]] - characterization of Muslims as worshiping [[Mohammed]] rather than [[God]], and praying to [[Apollo]].  The poem dramatizes Charlemagne's attempt at reconquering [[Spain]] from the [[Moors]], a process begun by his grandfather [[Charles Martel]], but attributed in the poem to Charlemagne.  

Careful readers notice markers of typical medieval Christian anti-Muslim [[polemic]] - characterization of Muslims as worshiping [[Mohammed]] rather than [[God]], and praying to [[Apollo]].  The poem dramatizes Charlemagne's attempt at reconquering [[Spain]] from the [[Moors]], a process begun by his grandfather [[Charles Martel]], but attributed in the poem to Charlemagne.  

== References ==

== References ==

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[[category:France]]

 

[[category:French Monarchs]]

[[Category:European History]]

[[Category:European History]]