Charlemagne

Charlemagne was the first emperor of medieval Europe and almost immediately after his death in 814 legends spread about his military and political prowess and the cultural glories of his court at Aix-la-Chapelle. This biography reconstructs Charlemagne's life from documentary sources, charting his conquests of Saxon and Lombard land, the establishments of a new form of government with laws, coinage and a polished language. Intended for the general reader.