Charle

After the omnipotent ruler of the world, who orders alike the fate of kingdoms and the course of time, had broken the feet of iron and clay in one noble statue, to wit the Romans, he raised by the hands of the illustrious Charles the golden head of another, not less admirable, among the Franks. Now it happened, when he had begun to reign alone in the western parts of the world, and the pursuit of learning had been almost forgotten throughout all his realm, and the worship of the true Godhead was faint and weak, that two Scots came from Ireland to the coast of Gaul along with certain traders of Britain. These Scotchmen were unrivalled for their skill in sacred and secular learning: and day by day, when the crowd gathered round them for traffic, they exhibited no wares for sale, but cried out and said, "Ho, everyone that desires wisdom, let him draw near and take it at our hands; for it is wisdom that we have for sale."

Charlemagne inspired later rulers: in 1681 the French bishop and historian Bossuet compared him to Louis XIV. Napoleon visited Charlemagne’s tomb in 1804 before his coronation, and in 1809, resisting the independent stance of French bishops he stated: ‘I am Charlemagne.’ From 1950 the Charlemagne Prize has been awarded by the city of Aachen for distinguished service on behalf of European unification... So Charlemagne is still an emblematic figure in the construction of contemporary Europe.

Charlemagne inspired later rulers: in 1681 the French bishop and historian Bossuet compared him to Louis XIV. Napoleon visited Charlemagne’s tomb in 1804 before his coronation, and in 1809, resisting the independent stance of French bishops he stated: ‘I am Charlemagne.’ From 1950 the Charlemagne Prize has been awarded by the city of Aachen for distinguished service on behalf of European unification... So Charlemagne is still an emblematic figure in the construction of contemporary Europe.

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