Charlemagne

Charlemagne emerged as Frankish king at the beginning of the Middle Ages, and was crowned Emperor of Rome in 800AD. He reconquered much of France, northern Italy, as well as bits of Western Germany. Pope Leo III crowned him Protector of Rome and Emperor of Romans on Christmas Day, 800 AD after his defeat of the Lombards (barbarians in Northern Italy). He was a patron of the arts, and revived much of the religion and culture of the Catholic Church. He brought about the first reemergence of civilization since the collapse of the Roman Empire. His strong, catholic beliefs and conquest of central europe brought about the end of the barbarian incursions and spread the catholic faith. He was the first leader, since the collapse of Rome, to bring education and intellectual enlightenment to the people of Europe. After his death, his empire was passed on to his son, Louis the Pius. Charlemagne's rule of western europe brought about end of the barbarians and began the middle ages.