Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire

This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the turmoil in the Frankish Kingdom which led to the rise of Charles Martel who famously defeated the invading forces of the Umayyad Caliphate at the Battle of Tours. His reign and that of his son, Pippin III, who appointed himself as king are briefly covered before the reign of Charlemagne is examined in detail. Charlemagne is without a doubt one of the most famous European monarchs and the Renaissance of Learning, his conquests and famously, his being crowned as Roman Emperor by Leo III are only a few of his achievements. His reign lasted for 47 years and after his grandsons divided the empire, the remnants became the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire.