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Jan 1, 717
Seige of Constantinople
Often compared to the Battle of Tours, The Second Arab siege of Constantinople (717-718), was conducted by the Arab army and navy to capture the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The Arab's were defeated by Constantinople and the Greek navy. It is compared to the battle of Tours, which was lead by Charlemagne, because is stopped the spread of Islam. (Timeline 700-800) -
Oct 10, 732
Battle of Tours
Charles Martel (Charlemagne) leads the Frankish army to defeat the Islamic army led by Emir Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi Abd al Rahman. The defeat prevented Islam from spreading into Europe and protected Christianity. (Timeline 700-800) -
Dec 6, 735
Vernerable Bede Writes over 40 books
The Venerable Bede (St Bede) is considered one of the best of Anglo-Saxon scholars. He lived in the North East of England between 673 and 735 AD. He is the author of the first known lives of the saints, and his many books are used as sources of learned knowledge about many topics and poetry. (Timeline 700-800) -
Apr 2, 742
Charlemagne is Born
Charles I or Charlemagne is born, son of Pepin the Short and Betrada of Laon. (Charlemagne) -
Jan 1, 756
Formation of Papal States
In 756, Pepin the Short donated Territories of Ravenna to Pope Stephen II. This gift became known as the "Donation of Pepin" which began the gradual change in the control over the papacy from the Byzantine Empire to the Carolingian Empire (Timeline 700-800) -
Jan 1, 770
Charlemagne Marries Desiderata of the Lombards
Desiderata is the daughter of the Lombard King Desiderius. The Lombards are not trusted by Charlemagne's brother nor the Pope. (Charlemagne) -
Jan 1, 771
Charlemagne Becomes King of the Franks
In 768 Pepin the Short dies leaving his kingdom to his sons Charlemagne and Carloman . In 771, Carlomon dies and Charlemagned becomes king of the divided empire. The the true cause of Calromon's death is unknown, but it is not generally considered to have anything to do with Charlemagne. (Charlemagne) -
Period: Jan 1, 772 to
War Against the Saxons
This was a long war and the battles were very spread out. The reason behind the war was to convert Saxons to Christianity and to unite them under Charlemagne (Munz) -
Jan 1, 774
Received by Pope Adrian I, Renewing Alliance
Charlemagne and Pope Adrian were very good friends who worked together to build each other's power. As a unified front, they spread Christianity and the Frankish Empire. (Frankish Papacy) -
Massacre of Verden
In response to Widukind's attacks, Charlemagne orders the execution of 4500 Saxon prisoners in one day. This creates so much terror in the land that Saxons start to convert to Christianity (Frankish Papacy) -
Charlemagne Dies in Aachen, Germany
Charlemagne's empire and all its territories became known as the Carolingian Empire. During his reign he was able to standardize weights, measures, and commerce. He was known for allowing representatives from his various conquered regions to control the areas, and he allowed the local culture to remain. He is also revered for expanding Christianity. (Snell) -
First Viking Invasion
Lost Danish ship lands at Portland Bill. King's reeve at Dorchester tries to collect taxes from them, and the confused Danes kill them--the first "Viking Invasion" foreshadowing later large-scale raids. (Timeline 700-800) -
Charlemagne Responds to Iconaclast Movement
During this time, the Byzantine Iconoclastic Movement was created under the orders of Pope Leo III who ordered the refrain from worshiping icons, statues, decorative windows, etc... Pope Leo ordered the destruction of statuary and decorations. Charlemagne fought against this movement, eventually squelching it. (Munz) -
Charlemage Crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III
Upon being elected Pope, Leo sent Charlemagne the Keys to Saint Peter the Confessor, and Charlemagne sent the Pope a congratulatory letter and a portion of his treasure. This exchange sealed the bond between the church and the empire, continuing the tradition of the King of the Franks protecting the papacy. (Charlemagne) -
Charlemagne Divides his Kingdom between Sons
According to Salic Tradition, land and inheritance was divided among offspring, and just as his father Pepin I (the Short) had divided the kingdom between Charles and his brother Carloman, Charlemagne divided his kingdom among his three sons. Two sons diee, so the kingdom ultimately goes to his surviving son, Louis the Pious. (Sylla)
