Charlemagne (742-814), also known as Charles the Great or Charles I, was the Carolingian king of the Franks from 768 to 814. Originally sharing power over his fathers kingdom with his brother, Carloman, Charlemagne annexed his brothers lands after Carlomans death and disinherited his brothers two sons. After conquering Saxony, Charlemagne went to the aid of Pope Leo III in 799, who returned the favor by crowning Charlemagne emperor in 800, securing his rule over the former Roman Empire in western Europe. Charlemagne allowed conquered peoples to retain their own laws and created a system by which he could supervise his administrators all across his empire. Heralded as a defender of Christendom, Charlemagne was beatified after his death and is honored as a saint in some churches.
