Einhard

Charles I, also called Charles the Great (Charlemagne) in recognition of his achievements as a ruler, was born in 742. As king of the Franks, he forged and maintained the largest and most powerful empire in Europe since the days of the Roman Empire. Although he built his empire by conquest, he held it together by developing and maintaining a highly efficient administrative system. He established a corps of itinerant justices called missi dominici (messengers of the lord) who traveled throughout his lands and whose principal function was to see that Charles's subjects were treated fairly and humanely by local authorities.

Charles was also a devout Christian who championed the church and its leadership. In recognition of his generosity and protection, Pope Leo III crowned Charles emperor of the Franks on Christmas day, 800. When Charles died in 814, his empire was divided among...