Janet L. Nelson King & Emperor Paperback Book Multicolor

A DAILY TELEGRAPH AND BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019 A remarkable book the dramatic story of a truly extraordinary man ... brilliant Helen Castor, author of SheWolves A major new biography of one of the most extraordinary of all rulers, and the father of presentday EuropeCharles, King of the Franks, is one of the most remarkable figures ever to rule a European superstate. That is why he is so often called Charles the Great by the French Charlemagne, and by the Germans Karl der Grosse. His strength of character was felt to be remarkable from early in his long reign. Warfare and accident, vermin and weather have destroyed much of the evidence for his rule in the twelve centuries since his death, but a remarkable amount still survives. Janet L. Nelsons wonderful new book brings together everything we know about Charlemagne and sifts through the evidence to come as close as we can to understanding the man and his motives. Nelson has an extraordinary knowledge of the sources and much of the book is a sort of detective story, prying into and interpreting fascinating material and often obdurate scraps, from prayerbooks to skeletons, gossip to artwork. Above all, Charles legacy lies in his deeds and their continuing resonance, as he shaped duchies and counties, rebuilt and founded towns and monasteries, and consciously set himself up not just as King of the Franks, but as the new Emperor governing the Roman Empire. His successors in some ways to the present day have... Janet L. Nelson King & Emperor Paperback Book