How Charlemagne Conquered Europe

This is the third episode in a series covering the Holy Roman Empire.

The founder of the Carolingian empire, Charlemagne, is often called the “father of Europe.” For the French and German people alike, he’s a little bit like a medieval George Washington. But unlike Washington, Charlemagne was not just statesman and general. He was an empire-builder living in a very different time, when might made right. It is a certain brand of sheer persistence and unending patience that forged Charlemagne’s reputation as conqueror. That is the essence of why you hear as unlikely a source as Mike Tyson rank him alongside Alexander the Great and Napoleon.

However, there are many myths about Charlemagne’s art of war, which this video dispels to bring you the true story about how he and his family conquered Europe.

Sources & further reading:
– Heart of Europe: A History of the Holy Roman Empire (Peter H. Wilson)
– Warfare and Society in the Barbarian West 450-900 (Guy Halsall)
– The Carolingian World (Marios Costambeys, Matthew Innes, Simon MacLean)
– Carolingian Chronicles: Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard’s Histories (Bernahrd Scholz & Barbara Rogers-Gardner)
– Life of Charlemagne (Einhard)
– The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edward Gibbon)

Music & footage:
– Mike Tyson boxing footage & podcast audio
– Civilisation: Season 1, Episode 1, by Kenneth Clark, 1969
– Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 – Strauss
– Johann Strauss II – The Blue Danube Waltz
– “Nisi Dominus – Cum Dederit” de Antonio Vivaldi. Andreas Scholl
– Maurice Ravel – Bolero
– Verdi: La forza del destino – Overture (Sinfonia)
– Mahler: Symphony No. 2 In C Minor – “Resurrection” / 1st Movement – Allegro maestoso…
– Ride of the Valkyries – Richard Wagner
– Symphony No. 3, “A guerra” (War) : I. Life and Labour. Allegro quasi giusto
– Camille Saint-Saëns – Danse Macabre
– Beethoven – Coriolan Overture, Op 62 – Muti
– Franz Schubert – Piano Trio in E flat, op. 100 (Second movement)
– Schubert: 5 German Dances, D.89 (D.90) – Arranged For 7 Trios And 1 Coda For String Quartett
– Mozart Lacrimosa
– Christopher Lee: “The Bloody Verdict of Verden” Music Video (RE,MOVED)

0:00 – An unlikely disciple
1:53 – What the Carolingian period represents to us
6:20 – The foundations laid by Pepin the Short
13:57 – Charlemagne & Carloman
17:15 – The sole reign of Charlemagne begins
18:00 – Conquest of Lombardy
22:00 – Setback in Iberia (Battle of Roncevaux Pass)
25:25 – Victory over the Avars & Slavs
28:56 – 30-year struggle against the Saxons
35:40 – How did Charlemagne do it?
46:23 – The REAL role horses played in Charlemagne’s wars
48:00 – The ACTUAL size & speed of Charlemagne’s armies
49:36 – Frankish weaponry & equipment
52:56 – The final verdict on Charlemagne’s reputation as conqueror