Notes:

He was known by many names in many languages for all lands he gained rule over in his lifetime. They included Charles the Great, Carolus Magnus, Karl der Grosse, Charlemagne, Charles the Great. He is considered the father of Europe. He ruled during the dark ages, a bright star that scholars were inspired by for centuries. Charles inherited only part of his kingdom from his father, less than half of France and the low countries. Before he died he had conquered half of Europe, Italy, Germany and Spain. He held the title, King of France, from 768 till his death in 814. He held the title King of the Lombards (Italy) from 774 to 800. He gained the title of King of Germany in 785. He was the Frankish Emperor from 800-814.

In a Christmas Day ceremony in Rome in the year 800, he was crowned Roman Emperor of the West by Pope Leo III. A very religious man, he was the first to be called the Holy Roman Emperor. Charles had four wives and up to five mistresses resulting in 16 children. (C-1351) He dearly loved his children, and would not even allow his daughters to marry out of court. He built a palace swimming pool and loved to hunt. He valued learning and brought in many artists and scholars as well as opened schools. Most classical literature and the history of the world was preserved during this period literally thanks to him. (C-571, 1878, 2247)

He died on Jan. 28, 813/814 in Aachen, Rhine, Prussia and was buried at the Cathedral of Aachen known as Aix-la-Chapelle in France (now Germany). His palace and home were in Aix-la-Chapelle as well. A traditional story about Charlemagne's gravesite is that in the year 1000, Otto III opened Charlemagne's Tomb and found him seated in a marble chair. He removed the marble thrown and it was used for the coronation of the Emperor's for hundreds of years after. (C-1372, 1419)

Charlemagne married Adalind. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Pepin "the Short" had at least four sons and five daughters according to Chris Kame at 78355@aol.com. He, like his father, was the mayor of the Palace. He became the first King of the Franks of the second race after deposing the last of the Merovingian Kings (Childeric III?). In the beginning, he shared this title jointly with his brother, Carlomen, then alone. He basically had himself crowned king with the blessing of Pope Zacharie and Archeveque de Mayence, Boniface II in 751 and held this title from 751-768. He was the founder of the dynasty of Carlogien Kings. Of course, he obviously paid the heads of Rome back, as he forced the Lombards to give the exachat of Ravenna to Pope Etienne II in his position as King. In 760-767 he victoriously waged war with the Duke of Acquitaine. When he died, his kingdom was split between his sons, Charlemagne and Carloman. (C-1440, 2247)

Pepin married Bertrada "Broadfoot" COUNTESS OF LAON before 742. Bertrada (daughter of Clairbert I (Heribert) OF LAON and Bertrada COUNTESS OF LAON) was born about 720 in Laon, Aisne, FRA; died on 12 Jul 783 in Choisy, Haute-Savoie, FRA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She also went by the names Bertha and Bertie. (C-1346)

Notes:

His birth date is listed differently in various sources. Weiss gives it as 689 and Encylcopedia Britanica gives it as 688. He was the Mayor of the Palace in Austrasia. In 732, he won the battle over the Saracens at Poitiers. Though he never reigned himself, he helped bring his sons Carloman and Pepin the Short into ruling as joint Kings of France. (C-1440, E)

Karl married Rotrude DUCHESS OF AUSTRASIA before 713. Rotrude (daughter of Leutwinus BISHOP OF TREVES) was born about 690 in , Austrasia, FRA; died in 724. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her name was also spelled Rotrou. (C-1440)

Notes:

His is called Count Canbert of Laon in Weis's "Ancestral Roots". (C-1440)

Clairbert married Bertrada COUNTESS OF LAON. Bertrada was born about 695 in Laon, Aisne, FRA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]