SOURCE: “Legislation—Religious Policy—The Renaissance; 774-800 a.d.” and “Fate of the Franks—The Legend of Charlemagne” in Charlemagne (Charles the Great): The Hero of Two Nations, 1899, pp. 155-86; 312-31.

In the following excerpt, Davis describes the missi, Charlemagne’s agents in many matters of law; Alcuin and his Palatine school; and Charlemagne’s own scholarly interests and achievements. He also explains the demise of the Frankish empire and the development of the Charlemagne legends and song cycle.

Legislation—religious Policy—the Renaissance 774-800 a.d.

The influence of the Church moulded the career of Charles as a conqueror; the same influence is equally conspicuous when we turn to his legislation. We have seen that his first capitulary was ecclesiastical in matter; when, after ten years, he again takes up the pen, the constitution and discipline of the Frankish Church are still his usual themes. More secretly...