Charlemagne
Johannes Fried
A magisterial modern biography of the emperor who forged medieval Europe.
The World During Their Reign
The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.
Charlemagne
France
800–814
Pope Leo III
Papacy
800–814
Sakanoue no Tamuramaro
Japan (Shogunate)
800–811
Nikephoros I
Rome
802–811
Emperor Xianzong of Tang
China
805–814
Emperor Dezong of Tang
China
800–805
Emperor Kanmu
Japan
800–806
Emperor Saga
Japan
809–814
Emperor Heizei
Japan
806–809
Irene of Athens
Rome
800–802
Michael I Rangabe
Rome
811–813
Leo V the Armenian
Rome
813–814
Staurakios
Rome
811–813
Meanwhile in history
One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.
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Further Reading
Well-regarded biographies and histories to go deeper on Charlemagne's life and times.
Two Lives of Charlemagne
Einhard & Notker the Stammerer
Contemporary accounts by Einhard and Notker, the nearest thing to a primary-source portrait.
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