The latter years of Charlemagne’s life were spent in labors for the
consolidation of his empire and the elevation of his people. He was a
great patron of learning and learned men. He was himself a good Latin
scholar, and he knew something of Greek. Wherever he was he was usually
surrounded by learned churchmen, whom he drew to his court from all
quarters, and with whom he delighted to hold conversations on literary
and other subjects. The emperor, his family, and all attached to his
household formed what was called the “School of the Palace.” Fond of
literary pursuits, Charlemagne studied grammar, rhetoric, music, logic,
astronomy, and natural history under his learned friends; and even after
he was considerably advanced in years he took the pains to acquire the
art of writing,--an accomplishment then very unusual except among
churchmen.