Who Is Charlemagne Or Charles The Great?

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was a Frankish emperor who governed most of Western Europe from 768 to 814. Spielvogel describes Charlemagne as determined and decisive, intelligent, and inquisitive. “A fierce warrior, he was also a wise patron of learning and a resolute statesman” (210-211). He took on the mission to combine all Germanic lands into one kingdom and convert them to Christianity. During the ninth century, Charlemagne had taken over most of Europe and under his rule, a renaissance of religion and a culture of learning takes place in the region. The importance that the emperor gave to culture and religion is a strong characteristic because he recognized that a strong culture and a sole religion are necessary for an empire to survive and last through time. This movement led by Charlemagne became known as the Carolingian Renaissance (214).
He was extremely focused in leading wars in order to accomplish the objectives he had set for his kingdom. Spielvogel says that Charlemagne undertook fifty-four military campaigns (211). Charlemagne conquered the Lombards, the Avars, Bavaria, and many others. He also led a 32-year-long ruthless bloodshed against the Saxons, a Germanic pagan group. Einhard describes this episode: “So many and grievous were the wars that were declared against the Franks in the meantime, and skillfully conducted by the King, that one may reasonably question whether his fortitude or his good fortune is to be more admired” (Einhard 33). Once victorious, Charlemagne obligated the Saxons to become Christians and threatened with death those who did not