Charlemagne: The First 1200 Years


Tuesday 28 January 2014, The Great Hall, King’s College London, Strand

On 28 January 814, Charlemagne died in Aachen. Since then he has been widely recognised as a key figure in European history. But what does he mean now? What does he still have to offer to Europeans today, and more specifically to British Europeans?

The following contributions were made at a half-day public celebration held at King’s College London on the 1200th anniversary of Charlemagne’s death. 

Michael Wood: ‘Charlemagne: why study him?’

Leslie Webster: ‘Charlemagne: the material culture of court and church’

Gareth Williams: 'Charlemagne's coinage'

Jo Story: 'Charlemagne's epitaph'

A Short Interview With Jinty Nelson

David Trendell: 'Music in the age of Charlemagne'

The day ended with a requiem mass in the Chapel, featuring ninth-century music (including several pieces by Charlemagne’s biographer Notker the Stammerer), sung by members of the King’s College Choir under the direction of Dr David Trendell.

Click here to listen to the concert!