Charlemagne
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The Life of Charlemagne
Joe M. Phillip
Columbia College
Western Civilization
Abstract
A few historians believe that Charlemagne was the illegitimate son of Pepin and the Countess of Laon, Berthe. Despite the controversy surrounding his date of birth and his parents’ date of matrimony, he was destined for greatness and groomed from childhood to eventually assume and share the kingdom with his brother. This paper will make an effort at giving some insight to Charlemagne the King from a personal perspective, as well as some of his most notable accomplishments and highlights during his reign, as written by Einhard.
Charlemagne’s accession into the Franks’ kingship came after his father, Pepin, died in the year 768, thus leaving the throne to his two sons. The Franks made the siblings both kings on the condition that the kingdom would be divided equally between them. The kingdom, accordingly, was plagued with some degree of animosity and sibling rivalry despite Charlemagne’s effort at making peace with his brother, Carolman. When sickness claimed his brother’s life, Charlemagne was unanimously elected the new King of the Franks.
According to Einhard, Charlemagne was large and strong in personal appearance. Though not disproportionately tall, he was somewhat of a lofty stature. He led an active lifestyle in which he was said to partake in strenuous physical activities such as swimming and horseback riding.
He was a moderate and social drinker of wine and had a weakness for food, especially roasted meat. He was seldom overheard griping about fasting and continued to enjoy his roasts albeit concerns from his doctors. According to Einhard, he enjoyed listening to reading or music while eating his meals. He was...
Joe M. Phillip
Columbia College
Western Civilization
Abstract
A few historians believe that Charlemagne was the illegitimate son of Pepin and the Countess of Laon, Berthe. Despite the controversy surrounding his date of birth and his parents’ date of matrimony, he was destined for greatness and groomed from childhood to eventually assume and share the kingdom with his brother. This paper will make an effort at giving some insight to Charlemagne the King from a personal perspective, as well as some of his most notable accomplishments and highlights during his reign, as written by Einhard.
Charlemagne’s accession into the Franks’ kingship came after his father, Pepin, died in the year 768, thus leaving the throne to his two sons. The Franks made the siblings both kings on the condition that the kingdom would be divided equally between them. The kingdom, accordingly, was plagued with some degree of animosity and sibling rivalry despite Charlemagne’s effort at making peace with his brother, Carolman. When sickness claimed his brother’s life, Charlemagne was unanimously elected the new King of the Franks.
According to Einhard, Charlemagne was large and strong in personal appearance. Though not disproportionately tall, he was somewhat of a lofty stature. He led an active lifestyle in which he was said to partake in strenuous physical activities such as swimming and horseback riding.
He was a moderate and social drinker of wine and had a weakness for food, especially roasted meat. He was seldom overheard griping about fasting and continued to enjoy his roasts albeit concerns from his doctors. According to Einhard, he enjoyed listening to reading or music while eating his meals. He was...