CHARLEMAGNE
742 - 814

Charlemagne was never called Charlemagne during his lifetime. He was simply Charles for his friends. Or more officially, Charles I. He was called “the Great” within his lifetime and operated hand in hand with the Church. He was, in fact, appointed by Pope Leo III.

Charles was one of the most dominant medieval figures and founder of the Western Roman Empire that would last for more than a thousand years.

All in all, Charles governed 46 years and was engaged in more than 50 military campaigns. His physical energy seemed to be much more impressive than his talents.

According to some historians, the year of Charles's coronation as emperor in 800 A.D. marked the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire. Others would refer to the year 962 A.D. in which Otto I was crowned emperor.

Charles was also king of the Franks from 768 - 814 and king of the Lombards 774 - 814.

Charlemagne's timeline here.

CHARLES'S FAMILY
Charles's father was the famous Pepin the Short, or Pepin III. His mother's name was Bertha. His siblings were Carloman and Gisela.

Charles was more or less fond of the following spouses - Desiderata, Hildegard, Fastrada, and Liutgard. This brought about the following children: Charles, Pepin, Louis, Hruodrud, Bertha, and Gisela (by Hildegard.) Then there were Theoderada, and Hiltrud (by Fastrada.)

Charles had still more children by several concubines.

This map is showing the growth of Frankish Power 481 - 814

Frankish Territories 481-814
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And after Charlemagne had died the map looked like this:

Europe at the time of Charlemagne's death
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814 Carolingian, Byzantine Empires and Califate

Map of the Treaty of Verdun 843

And here is a Plan of a Mediaeval Manor