The Life Of Charlemagne

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King of the Franks or better known as Charlemagne, was the first ruler in Western Europe since the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Einhard wrote about many improvements that Charlemagne made in his book, Two Lives of Charlemagne. Becoming the king of the Franks gave him the opportunities to improve and expand the kingdom that he inherited. Einhard was a devoted advisor or secretary of Charlemagne. He was his “eye witness” to his life and knew him very well. Based on his knowledge of the king, this writing evolved. It depicts the life of Charlemagne based off of what Einhard knew about him. His private life, social life, as well as his working life is clearly portrayed in this manuscript.
Charlemagne was a very well rounded man. He knew Latin and Greek but spoke Latin. He was famous for writing on a clay tablet and leaving it under his pillow. He had many children with numerous wives. Most rulers during that era didn’t spend too much time with their children. The servants spent every last moment with the children, but Charlemagne was different. He wanted to keep his children close to him and did that by eating every meal with them. He had the appearance of a family man but had other accomplishments with the military, church, and laws. Einhard wrote, “Charlemagne gave clear proof of the affection which he bore them all, for after the death of Pepin he ordered his grandson Bernard to succeed and he had his granddaughter’s brought up with his own girls” (74). It clearly depicts how much he loved his family. His children and grandchildren meant the world to him which is why he was such a family man. He also was very close with his daughters. Einhard said, “It is a remarkable fact that, as a result of this, he kept them with him ...

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...lved in his family life. This factor of his life probably made him into the leader that he was. Einhard was in a great position to write this book. He was Charlemagne’s right hand man and knew everything about him. It put him in a immense position to illustrate to the world who he was as an individual and ruler. Charlemagne became King of the Franks in a uncanny situation based off of the death of his brother. It is tremendously apparent how much the empire changed because of him. The empire gained religious perspective, expansion, as well as the alliance with the church. If that wasn’t enough he was a family man which made him much more trustworthy. The text clearly depicts the life of Charlemagne based off of what Einhard knew about him. His private life, social life, as well as his working life is evidently portrayed in this superior manuscript of his existence.

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