Charlemagne

A sit down with Charlemagne (768 C.E.)

Q: How did you get the throne?
A: Well, I am the grandson of Charles Martel. But my brother and I shared the throne for a while until he died which is when I claimed the entire throne.

Q: What do you want to accomplish?
A: I would like to create a unified Christian Europe. I will work closely with the Church and spread Christianity throughout the empire.

Q: How will you keep order in your kingdom?
A: I have appointed powerful nobles to rule local regions. I have also sent out missi dominici to check on roads, listen to grievances, and see that justice was done.

Q: Are you going to do anything about education?
A: I regard education as a way to unify my kingdom. I have set out to revive Latin learning throughout the empire and encourage the creation of local schools. I also want to revive the glory of Rome at my court at Aachen. I have brought many of the best scholars of Europe to the Palace school here.

Q: What do you want your legacy to be?
A: I want to be known for extending Christian civilization and blend it with other traditions. I also want to be known for setting up strong, efficient government. I want others to look at what I did and put it into their kingdom.