Charlemagne Summary

Charlemagne (Also Known as Charles I) 742-814 European ruler who conquered and united most of Europe, creating an entity reminiscent of the Roman Empire. He was proclaimed the first emperor of the Hol... Read more

In the following essay, Susskind explores the various types of comedy employed in the chansons de geste, considers the butts of the jokes and ridicule, and speculates that one of humor’s functi... Read more

In the following excerpt, Boussard describes the state of culture at the time Charlemagne began his reign and the educational program he ordered as a remedy. He discusses the results—evident in... Read more

In the following essay, Eisner contends that inconsistencies in the characterization of Charlemagne in the Song of Roland reflect the change of values which occurred between the century of Charlemagne... Read more

In the following essay, Caulkins contends that properly interpreting the Pèlerinage de Charlemagne requires understanding the interventions of the narrator and recognizing the juxtaposition of ... Read more

In the following excerpt, Barron considers the relationship between the French and the English romance through the exploration of key works including the Chanson de Roland,Otuel and Roland, The Sege ... Read more

In the following excerpt, Mombert profiles noteworthy men in Charlemagne’s circle and discusses Charlemagne’s interest in astronomy and architecture, particularly the Rhine bridge at May... Read more

In the following excerpt, originally published in 1897, Hodgkin summarizes Charlemagne’s accomplishments in the fields of the Church, literature, science, law, and the state-system of Europe. ... Read more

In the following essay Weston describes how the Arthur and Charlemagne cycles differ in their characteristics and asserts that the Charlemagne stories, while superior in content, are stylistically inf... Read more

In the following essay, first published in French in 1951, Ganshof describes some of the types of written documents that Charlemagne caused to be used—including agendas, minutes, instructions, ... Read more

In the following excerpt, Lamb narrates the final months of the aged and ailing Charlemagne through his death and its aftermath, and explains how and why his legend grew even while his kingdom was bei... Read more

The two lives of Charlemagne as told by Einhard and Notker are two medieval sources about the accounts of the life Charlemagne. Modern sources by Matthew Innes and Rosamond Mckitterick dis... Read more

Any time of great change requires a great leader. In the Middle Ages, Charlemagne, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire was a legend in his own time. His amazing war record, his significant impact o... Read more

Over history, there have been some great conquerors like Alexander the great, Genghis khan, and Osman of the Ottoman Empire. Along with these class of conquerors is Charlemagne. Charlemagne (Charles t... Read more