Charlemagne to Dante-Hung Wu to Wan Li
Charlemagne was born around 742. He was the son of Bertrada of Laon and Pepin the Short. 1. He was born into the hierarchy, the Franks. This hierarchy was part of a Germanic tribe. The Franks people were located in what is today France. In 751, Pepin, Charlemagne’s father, became ruler of the Franks. “Charlemagne received practical training for leadership by attending the political, social, and military activities associated with his father’s court.” (make sure to cite) Among these traits, he was also skilled in speaking Latin, understanding Greek, and many other languages. 2. During Pepin’s rule, he wanted to set up a new society, even if this meant breaking the law. Pepin wanted to start a war with the Saxon’s in effort to expand his territory along the North Sea. This would provide a better trading opportunity for the people. After the death of his father in 768, Charlemagne became co-ruler of Aquitaine alongside his younger brother, Carlomon from 768 until 771. Aquitaine was a region of what is now today, France. During Pepin’s reign, in efforts to expand the Frankish rule, he succeeded, teaching Charlemagne a valuable lesson. 3. This lesson was that you have to do what it takes to succeed, even if it causes conflict. & Indeed, this is what Charlemagne did. During the rule of Charlemagne, he wanted to gain power over the democratic republicans. This means anyone who is not part of the hierarchy. 4. He wanted to honor the original beliefs of the Franks, which was to convert all into one. He wanted to spread Christianity by converting the Germanic people to this belief. In order to succeed in this he had to participate in many military campaigns. “Charlemagne waged a bloody, three-decades-long series of battles against the Saxons, a Germanic tribe of pagan worshippers, and earned a reputation for ruthlessness.” (Cite here) During these long series of battles, he forced all Saxons to be baptized and those that defied were killed. Once those were killed off, the Saxons were all converted to Christianity. This resulted in almost 4,500 deaths.
Charlemagne didn’t stop there; he wanted to expand even more. His plan was to marry Irene, empress of the Eastern Empire. By doing this he would gain power over the Lumbards. This attempt did not succeed. Charlemagne lost interest when he found information out about Irene. Her own son imprisoned her and then once she was released, she beheaded him for revenge. This did not stop him and he eventually gained control over them anyways. Charlemagne works his way to the Holy Roman Empire but does not conquer England. He is chosen to become ruler for many reasons such as his interest in learning the Roman law, his long-term nobility to his previous rule, and his ability to protect over the papacy. Charlemagne taught the Vogt, which were administrators, how to read and write. He was very skilled in teaching because of his keen willingness to learn. He also begins to st...
