Deaths on January 28

Charlemagne

Died on January 28, 0814

Charlemagne, Holy Roman emperor (b. 742)

Charlemagne: Unifier of Western Europe and Architect of an Empire

Charlemagne, often celebrated as the "Father of Europe" (Pater Europae), was a transformative figure in early medieval history. Born on 2 April 747 (though some historical accounts propose 742 or 748 as alternative birth years) and passing away on 28 January 814, he was a prominent member of the Carolingian Dynasty, a powerful lineage that ascended to prominence from their origins as Mayors of the Palace under the Merovingian kings. His reign marked a pivotal era, laying the foundational political and cultural structures for much of Western Europe after the decline of the Roman Empire.

Reign and Imperial Ascent

Charlemagne’s journey to becoming the preeminent ruler of his time began following the death of his father, Pepin the Short, in 768. Pepin, who had officially deposed the last Merovingian king, Childeric III, and secured the kingship for himself with papal approval, bequeathed to Charlemagne the western part of the Frankish kingdom. Initially, Charlemagne served as co-ruler alongside his younger brother, Carloman I, who governed the eastern territories. This co-regency was marked by tension and rivalry until Carloman's unexpected death in 771, which left Charlemagne as the sole and undisputed King of the Franks. This consolidation of power provided him with the necessary base for his ambitious military and political expansions.

His territorial acquisitions and expansion of influence were remarkable:

He became King of the Lombards in 774 after decisively conquering the Lombard kingdom in northern Italy. This campaign was a direct response to the Lombards' aggression against the Papal States, continuing his father's commitment to protect the papacy, thereby solidifying his role as the primary defender of the Pope.
His military prowess extended south with an incursion into Muslim Spain in 778, establishing a buffer zone known as the Spanish March, aimed at containing Islamic expansion and providing a launching point for future Reconquista efforts.
To his east, Charlemagne waged a protracted and brutal series of campaigns known as the Saxon Wars, lasting over 30 years from 772 to 804. These wars were characterized by forced Christianization upon penalty of death, notably enshrined in the Capitulatio de partibus Saxoniae. One of the most infamous events was the Massacre of Verden in 782, where an estimated 4,500 captured Saxons were executed for their continued resistance and adherence to paganism, an act that remains a controversial aspect of his reign.

The zenith of Charlemagne's power was reached on Christmas Day in 800 when he was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III at Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This momentous event, though potentially unexpected by Charlemagne himself, symbolically revived the Western Roman Empire and fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of Europe. It established a precedent for the close, yet often contentious, relationship between the spiritual authority of the Pope and the temporal power of the Emperor, laying the groundwork for what would later become the Holy Roman Empire.

The Carolingian Empire and Its Legacy

The vast expanded Frankish state forged under Charlemagne's rule became known as the Carolingian Empire. This empire represented the largest political entity in Western Europe since the fall of the Western Roman Empire around three centuries earlier, encompassing areas from modern-day France, Germany, northern Italy, and parts of Spain and Central Europe. Beyond military conquest, Charlemagne dedicated significant efforts to administrative reform, centralizing governance, standardizing laws, and promoting education.

His reign spurred a period of energetic cultural and intellectual revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance. This was not a rebirth on the scale of the later Italian Renaissance but a conscious effort to restore and preserve classical learning and Christian scholarship. Key aspects included:

The establishment of palace schools, notably at Aachen, fostering literacy among the clergy and nobility.
The standardization of monastic life and liturgical practices across his empire.
The promotion of scriptoria, where monks diligently copied and preserved ancient Latin texts, preventing countless works from being lost.
The development of Carolingian minuscule, a clear and legible script that became the basis for modern European alphabets, significantly improving readability and the dissemination of knowledge.
The patronage of scholars like Alcuin of York, who played a crucial role in these intellectual endeavors.

Complex Relations and Ecclesiastical Standing

While revered in the West, Charlemagne's legacy was viewed more ambiguously by the Eastern Orthodox Church. Key points of contention included:

His support for the inclusion of the "Filioque" (Latin for "and the Son") clause in the Nicene Creed, which stated that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father "and the Son," rather than solely from the Father. This theological addition was a significant point of doctrinal dispute between Eastern and Western Christianity.
The Pope's decision to crown Charlemagne as Emperor in 800. From the Eastern perspective, there was already a legitimate Roman Emperor in Constantinople, and the coronation of a Western emperor was seen as a direct challenge to the authority and universal claim of the Byzantine Empire, especially given that the Byzantine throne was then occupied by Empress Irene of Athens, the first female monarch of the Empire.

These theological, political, and cultural divergences significantly contributed to the widening chasm between Rome and Constantinople, eventually culminating in the Great Schism of 1054, which formally divided Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.

In terms of his religious standing, Charlemagne was later canonized by Antipope Paschal III in 1165, an act that was subsequently treated as invalid by the mainstream Catholic Church. Nevertheless, he is now regarded as beatified, a significant step on the path to sainthood, acknowledging his profound impact on Christian Europe.

Death, Succession, and Enduring Legacy

Charlemagne died on 28 January 814 in his imperial capital city of Aachen, where he was laid to rest in the renowned Aachen Cathedral, a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture. His death marked the end of an era of unprecedented expansion and centralization.

Despite having married at least four times and having three legitimate sons who lived to adulthood, only the youngest, Louis the Pious, survived to succeed him as emperor. Louis inherited a vast, complex empire that would prove difficult to maintain, eventually leading to its fragmentation among his own sons, thereby laying the groundwork for the modern states of France and Germany.

Charlemagne's personal legacy extends through the ages: he and his predecessors are direct ancestors of many of Europe's most prominent royal houses, including the Capetian dynasty of France, the Ottonian dynasty of Germany, the House of Luxembourg, and the House of Ivrea. His influence permeated the political, legal, religious, and cultural spheres of Europe for centuries, solidifying his reputation as one of the most significant figures in Western history.

Frequently Asked Questions about Charlemagne

When was Charlemagne born and when did he die?: Charlemagne was born on 2 April 747 and passed away on 28 January 814. These dates define a period of profound transformation in European history.
What were Charlemagne’s most significant titles?: He held the titles of King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and most notably, he became the first Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day, 800.
Why is Charlemagne called the "Father of Europe"?: He earned this title because he successfully united the majority of Western and Central Europe under his rule, marking the first time such a vast territory had been consolidated since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. His empire laid the cultural and political foundations for future European states.
What was the Carolingian Renaissance?: The Carolingian Renaissance was a period of cultural and intellectual revitalization that occurred during Charlemagne's reign. It involved efforts to promote education, standardize religious practices, and preserve classical texts, significantly influencing the development of medieval European culture.
What was Charlemagne's relationship with the Papacy?: Charlemagne acted as the sole defender of the Papacy, protecting the Pope from threats, particularly from the Lombards. This close relationship culminated in his coronation as Emperor by Pope Leo III, solidifying the intertwining of secular and spiritual power in Western Europe.
Was Charlemagne a saint?: While he was canonized by Antipope Paschal III, this act was later deemed invalid by the mainstream Catholic Church. He is, however, recognized as beatified, which is a step toward sainthood.