Charlamagne I the Great Biography and Timeline

Birth of Charlemagne

Charlemagne is traditionally dated to April 2, with modern scholarship generally placing his birth in 747 or 748 rather than securely in 742.

Role range: 0768-0814

Anointed by Pope Stephen II

Pope Stephen II anoints the young Charlemagne and his brother Carloman when their father Pepin is ceremonially crowned king.

Campaign in Aquitaine

Charlemagne accompanies his father Pepin on a military campaign in Aquitaine.

Crowned King of the Franks

After Pepin the Short dies, Charlemagne is enthroned at Noyon as king of part of the Frankish realm.

Role range: 0768-0814

Suppression of Aquitaine Revolt

Charlemagne suppresses the revolt of Duke Hunold in Aquitaine despite receiving no military help from his brother Carloman.

Role range: 0769-0769 – 0768-0814

Sole King of the Franks

After the death of his brother Carloman, Charlemagne becomes sole ruler of the Frankish kingdom.

Role range: 0768-0814

Marriage to Hildegard

After ending his Lombard marriage, Charlemagne marries Hildegard, who becomes the mother of several important Carolingian heirs.

Role range: 0768-0814

Destruction of the Irminsul

Frankish forces destroy the Saxon sacred site known as the Irminsul during Charlemagne's first major Saxon campaign.

Role range: 0772-0804 – 0768-0814

First Saxon Campaign

Charlemagne begins the long Saxon Wars with a major campaign across the Frankish frontier into Saxony.

Role range: 0772-0804 – 0768-0814

Crossing of the Alps

Responding to Pope Adrian I's appeal, Charlemagne crosses the Alps with Frankish armies to confront King Desiderius of the Lombards.

Role range: 0773-0774 – 0768-0814

Siege of Pavia

Charlemagne begins the siege of Pavia, the Lombard capital, after invading northern Italy.

Role range: 0773-0774 – 0768-0814

Easter Visit to Rome

During the siege of Pavia, Charlemagne visits Rome at Easter and renews his alliance with Pope Adrian I.

Role range: 0768-0814

King of the Lombards

After the fall of Pavia and the defeat of Desiderius, Charlemagne assumes the title King of the Lombards.

Role range: 0768-0814

Conquest of the Lombard Kingdom

Charlemagne completes the conquest of the Lombard kingdom after a prolonged siege of Pavia.

Role range: 0773-0774 – 0768-0814

Suppression of Lombard Revolt

Charlemagne returns to Italy and suppresses a Lombard revolt centered on Duke Hrodgaud of Friuli.

Role range: 0776-0776 – 0768-0814

Assembly at Paderborn

Charlemagne holds a major assembly at Paderborn where Saxon submissions and diplomatic approaches from Muslim leaders in Spain are considered.

Role range: 0768-0814

Spanish Campaign

Charlemagne's Spanish expedition ends with the destruction of his rearguard at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass.

Role range: 0778-0778 – 0768-0814

Sons Crowned in Rome

Pope Adrian I crowns Charlemagne's son Pepin as king in Italy and Louis as king of Aquitaine.

Role range: 0768-0814

Saxon Christianization Policy

Charlemagne's government imposes severe legal measures intended to secure Saxon submission and Christianization during the Saxon Wars.

Role range: 0768-0814

Widukind Revolt

Widukind leads renewed Saxon resistance to Frankish rule; he later submits and is baptized in 785.

Role range: 0772-0804 – 0768-0814

Baptism of Widukind

Widukind submits to Charlemagne and is baptized, marking a major turning point in organized Saxon resistance.

Role range: 0768-0814

Campaign in Brittany

Frankish forces campaign in Brittany on Charlemagne's behalf as he seeks to enforce royal authority in the region.

Role range: 0768-0814

Incorporation of Bavaria

Charlemagne deposes Duke Tassilo III and incorporates Bavaria more directly into the Frankish realm.

Role range: 0768-0814

Admonitio Generalis

Charlemagne issues the Admonitio Generalis, promoting ecclesiastical discipline, education, correct texts, and improved standards among clergy and officials.

Role range: 0768-0814

Campaign against the Wilzi

Charlemagne campaigns east of the Elbe against the Wilzi with support from allied Slavic groups including the Obodrites and Sorbs.

Role range: 0768-0814

Campaign against the Avars

Charlemagne launches a major campaign against the Avars along the Danube frontier.

Role range: 0791-0796 – 0768-0814

Renewed Saxon Revolt

Saxon resistance revives during Charlemagne's continuing wars to secure Frankish control of Saxony.

Role range: 0772-0804 – 0768-0814

Council of Frankfurt

Charlemagne presides over the Council of Frankfurt, which addresses church doctrine, ecclesiastical discipline, and imperial policy.

Role range: 0768-0814

Avar Ring Captured

Frankish forces under Charlemagne's commanders capture the Avars' principal fortified center and seize a large accumulation of treasure.

Role range: 0791-0796 – 0768-0814

Pope Leo III at Paderborn

After being attacked in Rome, Pope Leo III reaches Charlemagne at Paderborn and seeks the Frankish king's protection.

Role range: 0768-0814

Imperial Coronation

Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne emperor in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on Christmas Day.

Role range: 0800-0814

Judicial Inquiry into Leo III

Before the imperial coronation, Charlemagne presides over proceedings in Rome concerning accusations made against Pope Leo III and the violence against him.

Role range: 0800-0814

Capture of Barcelona

Frankish forces under Louis of Aquitaine capture Barcelona, strengthening the frontier zone later associated with the Spanish March.

Role range: 0800-0814

Imperial Oath of Fidelity

Charlemagne's capitulary requires subjects throughout the empire to renew an oath of fidelity to him in his new status as emperor.

Role range: 0800-0814

the Saxon Wars

The prolonged Saxon Wars reach their end after decades of campaigns, forced submissions, deportations, and Christianization policies.

Role range: 0772-0804 – 0800-0814

Bohemian Campaign

Frankish forces campaign in Bohemia and impose tribute on local rulers during Charlemagne's eastern frontier operations.

Role range: 0800-0814

Danish Raid on Frisia

King Godfred's Danish fleet raids Frisia and exacts tribute while Charlemagne prepares a military response.

Role range: 0810-0810 – 0800-0814

Peace with King Hemming

Frankish and Danish magnates confirm peace between Charlemagne and King Hemming by exchanging oaths near the River Eider.

Role range: 0810-0811 – 0800-0814

Louis Crowned Co-Emperor

Charlemagne has his surviving son Louis crown himself co-emperor at Aachen, formally associating him with the imperial government.

Role range: 0800-0814

Burial

Charlemagne is buried at his palace church in Aachen on the day of his death.

Role range: 0800-0814