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Charlemagne Becomes Sole King of the Franks
On this day, December 5th, 771 AD
On this day in history, (December 5th) Charles the Great, a.k.a. Charlemagne is crowned sole king of the Franks. Though initially a co-ruler alongside his brother Carloman I, he became sole ruler on December 5, 771.
Charlemagne was the oldest son of the Frankish king, Pepin the Short. After Pepin’s death in 768, his two sons were pronounced co-rulers of the Frankish kingdom. However, there is some speculation that a co-rulership was never meant to be. Charlemagne was given his father’s lands, whereas Carloman was given his uncle’s lands, who had renounced his claim to the crown and became a monk.
Over the centuries, some experts have claimed that Charlemagne was never meant to be king at all, as he was actually an illegitimate child. Though his father was in a proper contract with his mother, Bertrada of Laon, it has been said that he was born two years before the couple was officially wed in the Catholic church. This has caused some to speculate that there was a rivalry between the brothers, as Carloman I was the only legitimate heir. However, there is no proof of this. What is known is that Carloman died only 3 years later, though it is not known why. He was only 20 years old.
Once he became sole ruler, Charlemagne went on a campaign to unite the Frankish…
