An Anglo-Saxon in charge of Charlemagne's school at Aix-la-Chapelle. Began the task of reviving learning by writing textbooks on grammar, spelling, rhetoric, and logic.

[tags]Alcuin, BlogRodent, Charlemagne, church-history, ChurchRodent, history[/tags]

Charles the Great. He was preeminently a successful warrior-king, leading his armies on yearly campaign. Charlemagne also sought to provide an effective administration for his realm. Expansionist ambition drove him to intervene in Italian politics and invade the papal territories. Eventually he was coronated as Emperor, the pope needed protection.

[tags]BlogRodent, Charlemagne, church-history, ChurchRodent, history[/tags]

The grandfather of Charlemagne. In 714 he became the "mayor of the palace". Martel allowed the Merovingian kings to retain their claim to the throne, but they were mere figureheads; the real power rested with the mayor of the palace. His victory over the Muslim invaders of Europe in 732 earned him the surname Martel, "The Hammer". His son and successor was "Pepin the Short".

[tags]BlogRodent, Charlemagne, Charles-Martel, church-history, ChurchRodent, history, Pepin-the-Short[/tags]