Through the eyes of Rainolf, a boy at the court of Charlemagne, we catch a glimpse of life in the Frankish kingdom, including dress, occupations, and amusements. We learn how Charlemagne brought Alcuin from England to establish schools in his kingdom and how he encouraged the development of the arts, including the recitation of poetry such as the Song of Roland. We hear about Einhard, a close associate of Charlemagne, who wrote a biography of him after his death. Finally, we travel to Rome to see Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day in 800 A.D.
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