Charlemagne was one of the most lauded kings of the medieval era. During his reign (768-814), he led more than 50 military campaigns and conquered nearly all of western Europe, metaphorically rebuilding the Western Roman Empire. His empire, in fact, became known as the Holy Roman Empire and created a close link between the Church and the state. He was such an efficient and organized military commander that his campaigns inspired Napoleon.
Unfortunately, Charlemagne's success as a ruler did not extend to his descendants. Charlemagne's son, Louis, was a weak ruler; his sons, in turn, divided the empire into three parts at the Partition of Verdun (843), and the empire further dissolved from there. Thus, one could say that while Charlemagne successfully built the Holy Roman Empire, he failed to ensure that the empire would remain strong after his death.
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