Charlemagne was born this day in 747
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He exhibited a keen interest in the sacred music of his time and mandated its use and performance throughout his empire. His support caused liturgical music to flourish in his own time both throughout his sovereign domain in Western Europe as well as establishing a basis for musical culture in the region.
It is said that he set agents forth thoroughout his lands ensuring the faithful incorporated music in worship in accordance with his world view.
He was a driving force behind the Carolingian Renaissance, the first of three medieval renaissances which was a period of cultural activity in the Carolingian Empire ocurring between the late 8th century to the 9th century and was inspired by the Christian Roman Empire of the fourth century.
He was King of the Franks from 768. He was King of the Lombards from 774. He was Emperor of the Romans from 800. He is known as the "Father of Europe" because he united most of both central and western Europe since the advent of the Roman Empire.
He was crowned "Emperor of the Romans" by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day at Old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome making him the first emporer of the Holy Roman Empire.
He was married at least four times and had three legitimate sons who lived to adulthood, but only the youngest of them, Louis the Pious, survived to succeed him. He also had numerous bastard children by various concubines. Ah yes, we kings do like our concubines.
Charlemagne died in 814 at the age of 71 and was interred in Aachen Cathedral located within his imperial capital city of Aachen.
He was later canonized by Antipope Paschal III.