Charlemagne: The Father Of Europe

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This is episode 524 of The Rest Is History

“Here was a program to wet the ambitions of warlords as well as scholars, and to send men into battle beneath the fluttering of banners, the hiss of arrows, and the shadow of carrion crows…”

The year is 777 and Charles the Great - Charlemagne - has ruled as joint king of the Franks alongside his brother, Carloman, for nine years. Now though his brother and greatest impediment to sole authority has died under mysterious circumstances. The sole successor to the mighty Carolingian dynasty, then, Charlemagne behaves differently from all the Frankish warlords that have come before him. In the aftermath of the once great Roman Empire, he seems to have modelled himself on the image an Augustus, pushing the already formidable kingdom that he has inherited towards greater and greater dominion. In his sights now are the Saxons, long growing fractious in Germany, and also the terrifying Lombards. The campaigns that ensued would be more ruthless than any before, with Charlemagne himself personally leading his men into battle. But his regime is not only one founded upon the blade of a sword and militaristic might, it is also a religious and educational revolution. It would utterly transform the west forever, introducing widespread writing and learning, and Christianising vast swathes of Europe - poor and elite alike. But Charlemagne’s total dominion of the West was still incomplete. What would happen next?
Join Tom and Dominic as they delve deeper into the rise of the mighty Charlemagne: his transition to sole ruler of the Franks, his violent militaristic conquests, and a Christian regime that would change the world.

00:00 Charles the Great?
07:55 A christian conqueror
10:02 He turns his eyes to Italy
17:42 Divine intervention in pavia20:10 The war leader
26:02 Charlemagne turns to the Saxons…
30:20 Charlemagne the scholar
36:25 Charlemagne takes tough measures on paganism
47:30 Early medieval 'information technology'

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Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett
Editor: Aaliyah Akude
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Josh Smith
Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

[gasfeefees]

The history professors most of us in hindsight always wanted, but never got. This format is absurdly great. Merry Cristes mæsse.

[ropeburnsrussell]

You two have been a gift this year, thankyou.

[DMU]

This is by FAR, the best channel on youtube and should be required watching for all. From NYC, thank you so much, great content!!! Merry Xmas to you all! Enjoy!!

[Onetwelvefourth]

Thank you for making history so much more accessible to all!

[tonylipsmire]

History + cheeky Brit comedy + football references = the best podcast going

Much love from St. Louis, Missouri! Cheers lads and Merry Christmas.

[steveinthemountains]

Merry Christmas, Tom & Dom. Tom "Paulinus" Holland, your prose rocks! I'm reading Rubicon right now and am enjoying it.

[susanharris]

I wanted to thank you for the work you put into the podcasts I enjoy, everyone. Best wishes for Christmas and the new year. X

[artealain]

Merry Christmas 🎅🏻 to you both and thank you both for amazing content. 👍🇮🇪

[axz]

Found you guys a couple of weeks back, love it. Merry Christmas from southern New South Wales

[BillyBackstory]

Honestly prob the best history content around. This longform format is killer! ❤

[outlawJosieFox]

This is fascinating. Thanks for filling in my knowledge gaps 😊
Happy yuletide ❤

[Ozgipsy]

Merry Christmas boys. There’s so little about Charlemagne in pop culture. I’ll enjoy this. 🎄

[snedmeister]

I have been watching your videos on and off for days now, after recently stumbling across the channel.
Never before have I considered signing up for membership anywhere else, but this content has me tempted 😂

Really easy listening packed with excellent research. Top marks

[HbagMbag]

Have really enjoyed this series! Paul Freedman of Yale has an excellent series on the period 284 to 1000 that is a fine compliment to the events here discussed for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge.

[maryj]

Tom and Dominic may your bells always jingle. Thank you for your podcasts, Happy New Year to you and your families.

[stepstar]

Love the dramatic reads… history never better 🎉

[yawnskidsberry]

More than slightly obsessed with this pod

[mihaelacomanescu]

Merry Christmas to you two and to all who live the joy of learning history alongside, listening to your beautiful English and voices.

[jplabre]

Merry Christmas to my favourite podcasters and my fellow listeners.

[luciafidalgo]

Merry Christmas Tom and Dominic! Thank you for your brilliant videos.