On Christmas Day 800, Charlemagne was crowned holy Roman emperor.

He had been born in 748.

He was the first born son of Peppin or Pippin the short.

And Peppin's father, Charlemagne's grandfather, was Charles Martel.

These are all legends in the first half of the Middle Ages, towering figures.

They were uncommon warriors, statesmen.

But on this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, let's consider a church that was built

by Charlemagne, Charlemagne's chapel.

He started his rule as King of the Franks after his father's death in 768.

Through the 770s and 780s and into the 790s, successive campaigns increased his reign and

led to his ascension to the heights of power.

And he was, by all accounts, a deeply pious and religious man.

He was a devout follower of the church, and of course at the time this is the church

in Rome.

He instituted a number of church synods, bringing together both church officials and laity

to discuss reforms of church life and practice.

Much of this was welcomed by the church.

He also set out to reform culture.

Historians refer to this period as the Carolingian Renaissance.

Charlemagne promoted literacy and learning, and all of this had a focal point at Aachen.

Aachen is in Western Germany over near the border with Netherlands and Belgium, and this

was Charlemagne's preferred royal residence.

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