Charlemagne, born on 2 April 748, was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and became Emperor of the Carolingian Empire in 800. He was the first recognized emperor in the West after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Charlemagne was the eldest son of Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon. He initially ruled alongside his brother Carloman I until Carloman's death in 771, after which Charlemagne became the sole ruler of the Franks.Charlemagne continued his father's policy of supporting the papacy, notably by defeating the Lombards in 774 and securing northern Italy for the papacy. His reign was characterized by military expansion, including conquests in Bavaria, Saxony, and northern Spain. He spread Christianity through these conquests, often using force, as exemplified by the Massacre of Verden against the Saxons. Charlemagne also established diplomatic relations with the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid in the 790s, focusing on mutual interests in Iberia.On Christmas Day in 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, marking a significant moment in his reign. This coronation symbolized the revival of the Western Roman Empire and established Charlemagne as a key figure in European history. His rule brought about administrative, legal, educational, and military reforms that shaped medieval Europe. The period of stability under his reign initiated the Carolingian Renaissance, a cultural revival that influenced European intellectual life for centuries.Charlemagne's death on 28 January 814 led to his burial in the Palatine Chapel in Aachen. His legacy as a unifier of Europe earned him the title 'Father of Europe,' and many European royal houses trace their lineage back to him. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, as he became a subject of numerous artworks, literature, and historical narratives throughout the Middle Ages.