Charles the Great. He was preeminently a successful warrior-king, leading his armies on yearly campaign. Charlemagne also sought to provide an effective administration for his realm. Expansionist ambition drove him to intervene in Italian politics and invade the papal territories. Eventually he was coronated as Emperor, the pope needed protection.
[tags]BlogRodent, Charlemagne, church-history, ChurchRodent, history[/tags]