_, Great Leaders; _Emerton_, Introduction to the
Middle Ages; _Guizot_, History of Civilization; _Wells_, The Age of
Charlemagne; _Bryce_, The Holy Roman Empire; _Church_, The Beginning of
the Middle Ages; _Lord_, Beacon Lights; _White_, Eighteen Christian
Centuries; _Laurie_, Rise of the Universities; _Bulfinch_, Legends of
Charlemagne; Encyclopaedia Britannica, Article on Charlemagne.

=History, Character, and Purpose.=--Charlemagne was not only the
greatest ruler of the Middle Ages, but one of the greatest and wisest
rulers the world has known. By birth and instinct he belonged to the
Teutonic race, to which, as before stated, the world's enlightenment has
been committed. Like Alexander the Great, Charlemagne united many
peoples into one, until he ruled over the territory now included in
France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Italy,--in fact, his
empire comprised the richest part of central Europe. He designed to
rebuild the Roman Empire, and was crowned "Emperor of Rome" by the Pope,
in the year 800. While he protected the Pope and was loyal to him, he
did not admit the papal supremacy in matters of State.

Two very important influences were wisely utilized by Charlemagne in his
work of civilization, namely, the political ideas of the Teutons, and
the adhering power of the Christian church. He cherished German customs,
and left, in various parts of Germany, many monuments of his love for
that people. He was of commanding presence, being seven feet in height,
and of good proportions, blond in type, and of genial manners. His real
capital was at Aix-la-Chapelle, but Rome was a nominal capital. Bulfinch
says of Charlemagne: "Whether we regard him as a warrior or legislator,
as a patron of learning or as the civilizer of a barbarous nation, he is
entitled to our warmest admiration." If his successors had possessed the
ability, enterprise, and breadth of view that characterized him, the
world might never have known the period in history commonly called the
"Dark Ages."

=Personal Education.=--When Charlemagne arrived at the estate of manhood
and ascended the throne, he was ignorant of letters and lacked any
considerable intellectual training. His education had been that of the
knight who believed that skill in the use of arms and physical prowess
were of far more importance than a knowledge of letters.[39] After he
had come to the throne, and especially after he had conquered his foes
and had leisure to study