preview

Charlemagne Research Paper

Satisfactory Essays

Charlemagne, also known as “Charles the Great” is a significant figure in the history of Europe. Son of Pepin the Short, Charlemagne set out to be a great ruler. “The age of Charlemagne” as it was so called, started after the result of missions among Pagans. During his ruling he did some beneficial things for his people, but in the end mostly bad things. At first he was thought to be a great ruler and then people really started to dislike him. Due to a great deal of dreadful things he did to his own people, Charlemagne the “Great” became the “tyrant” after countless slaughters resulting from his attempt to Christianize his empire, which led to his descent in public opinion. . (A+E Networks. Charlemagne. http://www.history.com/topics/charlemagne. …show more content…

With all that power Charlemagne was well respected, or so it seemed. Along with all that power came a heavy dosage of megalomania after he was consumed with his own lust to have complete power over the Holy Roman Empire. And with his father being the previous King of the Franks, he grew up learning how to rule and probably had his plans from a young age to seize the throne. One would think with how popular he was that Charlemagne would gain the support from his people. In some cases yes, and others no. He had a very strong feeling about religion and once he became king he definitely made it a “his way or the highway” deal. During that period in time, religion was a major factor in an empire. Rulers would always try to control what you believed in and if they didn’t like it, it was either change your way to their beliefs, or be killed. It seems a little abysmal, but sadly that’s how it was back then The social norms of the early era of the Holy Roman Empire are severely alien from what the Western World deems to be moral in modern day standards. Now with that said, it is no surprise that Charlemagne would behave in such a way. He tried to convert his subjects to Christianity, and if they didn’t conform in a sense, for example get baptized, then they would be killed. Just as it is and almost always has been, religion is a highly volatile …show more content…

Even now, many countries don’t allow the freedom that exists in the US. Charlemagne also (reportedly) ordered the slaughter of 4,500 Saxons. They were trying to fight for their right and take over because they were tired of adhering to his policies and would rather face death than stand by idly having to worship as he wished. Charlemagne resented the Saxons for the uprising, he is the king so everyone who is against him is guilty of treason against the King, and therefore, must die. Eventually, he forced the Saxons to convert to Christianity, or what was left of them. Beheading 4,500 Saxons because they didn’t want to share the same beliefs is quite frankly (Oh Yes I did make that pun, also delete this part) beyond insane. One interesting fact about Charlemagne, is that he served as a source of inspiration for Napoleon and Hitler. Maybe Charlemagne wanted to be remembered as an emperor that would have prefered to rule by fear than by

Get Access