It was not Charlemagne's military prowess that won him a vast kingdom, as Einhard believed. It was Charlemagne's strong personality that was the driving force behind his military successes, as well as the glue that held his kingdom together.

Charlemagne was a simple man with strong family ties and religious beliefs. He was a man of great vision and determination with a diplomatic flair that few men of his time possessed. His exceptional organizational skills and his belief in education were the hallmarks of his administration.

During his reign, Charlemagne engaged in numerous military campaigns. "He so largely increased the Frank's kingdom, which was already great and strong when he received it at his father's hands, that more than d

Charles was a simple man. He preferred to wear the plain clothing of his people and detested ceremonial garb. He was modest in his eating and drinking habits. His family was important to him. When his sons and his daughter died, he cried. He took his meals with his children. When he traveled, they traveled with him. These qualities made him a more accessible and admirable ruler to his people.

ouble its former territory was added to it." While this was true, it was not principally Charles' military leadership that brought him victory. "Many battles were fought in his name, but he rarely accompanied his armies and fought no campaigns that are remembered for strategic brilliance." Charles' fierce determination helped win him the empire as evidenced in the Aquitanian War. This was Charles' first military undertaking. Despite the fact that he received no help from his brother, Charles continued this battle begun by his father "with the greatest vigor... and did not desist or shrink from his ...task until, by his patience and firmness, he had completely gained his ends." In the Lombard War "Charles did not cease, after declaring war, until he'd had exhausted King Desiderius by a long siege."

Having won his empire, Charlemagne now had to try to keep it. Again, Charles applied his extraordinary diplomatic powers. "He added to the glory of his reign by gaining the good will of several kings and nations. His munificence won the kings of the Scots also to pay such deference to his wishes that they never gave him any other title than lord... his relations with Aaron, King of the Persians...were so friendly that this prince preferred his favor to that of all the kings and potentates of the earth and considered that to him alone marks of honor and munificence were due...The emperors of Constantinople, Nicephorus, Michael and Leo...sought friendship and alliance with him by several embass

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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)