[shahr-luh-meyn; Fr. shar-luh-man-yuh ] 
(“Charles the Great” ) a.d. 742–814, king of the Franks 768–814; as Charles I, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 800–814. |
| Char·le·magne (shär'lə-mān') King of the Franks (768-814) and founder of the first empire in western Europe after the fall of Rome. His court at Aix-la-Chapelle became the center of the Carolingian Renaissance. |
The first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; his name means “Charles the Great.” Charlemagne was king of France in the late eighth and early ninth centuries and was crowned emperor in 800. He is especially remembered for his encouragement of education.
Note: Throughout the Middle Ages, Charlemagne was considered a model for Christian rulers.