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____ Charlemagne
Birth: 2 Apr 747 Aachen, Rhineland
Death: 28 Jan 814 Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen), Germany
Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemagne
Charlemagne (/'???rl?me?n/) or Charles the Great[a] (2 April 742/747/748[1] – 28
January 814), numbered Charles I, was the King of the Franks from 768, King of the
Lombards from 774 and Emperor of the Romans from 800. He united much of Europe
during the early Middle Ages. He was the first recognised emperor in western Europe
since the fall of the Western Roman Empire three centuries earlier. The expanded
Frankish state which Charlemagne founded was called the Carolingian Empire.
Charlemagne was the oldest son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon. He became
king in 768 following his father's death, initially as co-ruler with his brother Carloman I.
Carloman's sudden death in 771 in unexplained circumstances left Charlemagne as the
undisputed ruler of the Frankish Kingdom. He continued his father's policy towards the
papacy and became its protector, removing the Lombards from power in northern Italy
and leading an incursion into Muslim Spain. He campaigned against the Saxons to his
east, Christianising them upon penalty of death and leading to events such as the
Massacre of Verden. Charlemagne reached the height of his power in 800 when he
was crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day at Old St.
Peter's Basilica.
Charlemagne has been called the "Father of Europe" (Pater Europae),[2] as he united
most of Western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire. His rule spurred the
Carolingian Renaissance, a period of energetic cultural and intellectual activity within
the Western Church. All Holy Roman Emperors considered their kingdoms to be
descendants of Charlemagne's empire, up to the last Emperor Francis II and the
French and German monarchies.
However, the Eastern Orthodox Church views Charlemagne more controversially,
labelling as heterodox his support of the filioque and recognition by the Bishop of
Rome as legitimate Roman Emperor, rather than Irene of Athens of the Eastern Roman
Empire. These and other machinations led to the eventual split of Rome and
Constantinople in the Great Schism of 1054.[3][4]
Charlemagne died in 814, having ruled as emperor for thirteen years. He was laid to
rest in his imperial capital of Aachen in what is today Germany. He married at least
four times and had three legitimate sons, but only his son Louis the Pious survived to
succeed him.
Marriages and heirs[edit]
Charlemagne had eighteen children with eight of his ten known wives or concubines.
[111] Nonetheless, he had only four legitimate grandsons, the four sons of his fourth
son, Louis. In addition, he had a grandson (Bernard of Italy, the only son of his third
son, Pippin of Italy), who was illegitimate, but included in the line of inheritance.
Among his descendants are several royal dynasties, including the Habsburg, Capetian
and Plantagenet dynasties.
Start date
Marriages and heirs
Concubinages and illegitimate children
c.768 His first relationship was with Himiltrude. The nature of this relationship is
variously described as concubinage, a legal marriage, or a Friedelehe.[112]
(Charlemagne put her aside when he married Desiderata.) The union with Himiltrude
produced a son: Pippin the Hunchback (ca. 769–811)
c. 770 After her, his first wife was Desiderata, daughter of Desiderius, king of the
Lombards; married in 770, annulled in 771.
c. 771 His second wife was Hildegard of Vinzgouw (757 or 758–783), married 771, died
783. By her he had nine children: Charles the Younger (ca. 772–4 December 811),
Duke of Maine, and crowned King of the Franks on 25 December 800
Carloman, renamed Pippin (April 773–8 July 810), King of Italy
Adalhaid (774), who was born whilst her parents were on campaign in Italy. She was
sent back to Francia, but died before reaching Lyons
Rotrude (or Hruodrud) (775–6 June 810)
Louis (778–20 June 840), twin of Lothair, King of Aquitaine since 781, crowned King of
the Franks/co-emperor in 813, senior Emperor from 814
Lothair (778–6 February 779/780), twin of Louis, he died in infancy[113]
Bertha (779–826)
Gisela (781–808)
Hildegarde (782–783)
c. 773 His first known concubine was Gersuinda. By her he had: Adaltrude (b.774)
c. 774 His second known concubine was Madelgard. By her he had: Ruodhaid (775–
810), abbess of Faremoutiers
c. 784 His third wife was Fastrada, married 784, died 794. By her he had: Theodrada
(b.784), abbess of Argenteuil
Hiltrude (b.787)
c. 794 His fourth wife was Luitgard, married 794, died childless.
c. 800 His fourth known concubine was Regina. By her he had: Drogo (801–855),
Bishop of Metz from 823 and abbot of Luxeuil Abbey
Hugh (802–844), archchancellor of the Empire
c. 804 His fifth known concubine was Ethelind. By her he had: Richbod (805–844),
Abbott of Saint-Riquier
Theodoric (b. 807)
Parents
____ Pepin III "Le Bref" ("the Short") ( 715 - 24 Sep 768)
DE LAON Bertha (Bertrade) "Broadfoot" ( 720 - 12 Jul 783)
Siblings
____ Charlemagne (2 Apr 747 - 28 Jan 814)
OF THE CAROLINGIANS Raedburh (Raedberg) (BEF 768 - )
Marriage To ____ Himiltrude (concubine) ()
m.
Notes
Children by ____ Himiltrude (concubine)
____ Aupais (Alpis) (ABT 765 - )
Marriage To OF VINZGAU Hildegarde ( 758 - 30 Apr 783)
m. 771 Aachen, Rhineland
Notes
Parents
OF SWABIA Gerold I ( 710 - 799)
OF ALLEMANIA Emma (Imma) (ABT 720 - 798)
Children by OF VINZGAU Hildegarde 758 - 30 Apr 783
____ Berthe (Bertha) (ABT 772 - ABT 825)
OF ITALY Pepin (Apr 773 - 8 Jul 810)
____ Rotrude (ABT 775 - 6 Jun 810)
____ Louis I "the Pious" "the Fair" (Aug 778 - 20 Jun 840)
Marriage To ____ Regina (ABT 770 - 7 Jun 844)
m.
Notes
Parents
____ Gerold ( 719 - 780)
____ Imma ( 725 - 798)
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