Charlemagne

King of the Franks, Emperor of the Romans (742–814)

Charlemagne (Charles the Great) united much of Western and Central Europe during the early Middle Ages. Crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 CE, he founded the Carolingian Empire and promoted Christian rule, administrative reforms, literacy, and learning — prompting the cultural renewal historians call the Carolingian Renaissance.

His reign re-shaped medieval Europe: he reorganized territories into counties and appointed trusted counts, standardized weights and measures, and supported monastic and cathedral schools to revive learning. Charlemagne’s legacy is the political and cultural template for later European states.

“To have great men to rule is a blessing and a danger.”

Though his empire fragmented after his death, Charlemagne remains a central figure in European history — hailed as the “Father of Europe” for his role in forging political unity and reviving classical knowledge.