The kingdom of the Franks, to which Charlemagne fell heir on the death
of his father, formed an extensive dominion comprising portions of the
two countries we now call France and Germany,--for it must be remembered
that the specific countries, France and Germany, did not yet exist at
all.
At this time--the latter half of the eighth century--Italy was divided
between the Lombards and the Eastern emperors, England had come into
existence, but only as a number of feeble and warring states, Spain was
under the rule of the Moslems. In the meantime the land of the Franks
was lifting itself from out the surrounding barbarism of the new races,
and was the center of that Germanic civilization which was struggling
into existence.
It is important to bear in mind the actual condition of the European
world at the time Charlemagne came on the stage, for it will help us to
understand the work he did, how far he succeeded and how far he failed.