The father of Europe (CHARLEMAGNE)

                     
                                                   CHARLEMAGNE

During the middle ages (about AD 500 - 1500)one of the  most powerful European kings was Charlemagne.CHARLEMAGNE was Frank. The Frank were a people who lived in parts of modern France and Germany. When he became the one and only ruler of the Frankish land in AD 771, CHARLEMAGNE wanted to make his kingdom bigger and stronger. He also wanted to spread Christianity and project the Roman Catholic church.

With this plan in mind, CHARLEMAGNE spent 30 years battling the Saxons, another Germanic people. In these and many other wars CHARLEMAGNE gained control over much of western Europe, including what is now France, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and half of Italy and Germany.

In the year 800,the POPE crowned CHARLEMAGNE the emperor of the Roman's. This made him the first of many emperors who would rule until 1806 . CHARLEMAGNE reorganized the government in his empire.  He worked with leaders of the church to improve the church and government. And he sent out special agents to make sure that his lows were being obeyed.

 CHARLEMAGNE brought about many improvements in the kingdom. He set up a new money system and reformed the low courts. He built a large court library and set up a school at his palace court. He was concerned with educating the ordinary people and improving the learning of priests. He hoped education would make his people better Christian's.

CHARLEMAGNE died in 814. Today he is remembered as one of the most important rulers in European history. In fact he's sometimes called the father of Europe.