11.28.05
Charlemagne. History of the Italian Lakes
Charlemagne. History of the Italian Lakes
Carrying before him the sword and the cross, Charlemagne became the Emperor of Western Europe. In 768, Charlemagne and his brother Carloman inherited the realm of the Franks. In 771, when Carloman died, Charlemagne became sole ruler of the kingdom. The kingdom was fragmented; the north of Europe was still pagan and ungovernable. In the south, the Roman Catholic Church was still striving to assert its power against the Lombard kingdom in Italy.
In Charlemagne’s own realm, the Franks were falling back into barbarian ways. Charlemagne was resolute to reinforce his kingdom and to bring order to back to Europe. He launched campaigns that conquered and Christianized the Saxons in the north, the Avars, a Tatar tribe on the Danube, even forcing the Bavarian dukes to submit to him. Charlemagne, in an effort to avoid further conflict, offered to pay the Lombard king Desiderius for return of lands to the pope, but, when Desiderius refused, Charlemagne seized his kingdom and restored the Papal States.
Charlemagne’s amazing conquests were largely due to his ability to organize. During his reign he organised over 50 military expeditions. He moved his armies over wide reaches of country with speed, with every move planned in advance. These feats of organization and the speed marches later led Napoleon to study his tactics.
By 800 Charlemagne was the unquestionable ruler of Western Europe. His vast realm covered France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. It included Italy and Germany, part of Austria, and the Spanish March. Charlemagne restored unity to the Empire and paved the way for the development of modern Europe. On Christmas Day in 800, while Charlemagne knelt in prayer in Saint Peter’s in Rome, Pope Leo III took a golden crown from the altar and placed it on the bowed head of the king. The Pope proclaimed Charles the August, crowned by God, great and pacific emperor, long life and victory.
Italian Lakes Tourist Information Guides – Tourism in Varese.
