When and where did Charlemagne rule?

Also referred to as "Karl" and "Charles the Great," Charlemagne ruled Western Europe from 768 to 814 A.D. After the death of his father Pepin the Short, the Frankish kingdom was divided between his sons. Charlemagne ruled with his younger brother Carloman, who later died in 771, leaving the sole rule to Charlemagne.

During the early part of his reign, Charlemagne devoted his time to expanding the kingdom. He fought the Saxons, a Germanic tribe of pagan worshipers, for three decades and succeeded in forcing them to convert to Christianity. Those who refused baptism were put to death. In his personal life, Charlemagne had numerous wives and mistresses and a progeny of possibly 18 children.