Charlemagne

The Charlemagne legend represents a rich tapestry of folklore, religious tales, and heroic narratives that coalesced around the historical figure of Charlemagne, the Frankish king and Western emperor. Even before his death in 814, his reputation had grown to near-mythical proportions.

One of the earliest legendary accounts appears in the Gesta Karoli magni, written by Notker of St. Gall between 884-887. This work blended popular stories and oral traditions with the historical biography written by Einhard. By the 12th century, miraculous powers were being attributed to Charlemagne both during and after his life, culminating in his politically-motivated canonization by Emperor Frederick I.

In medieval literature, Charlemagne was transformed into a larger-than-life figure who embodied multiple heroic ideals: the ruler of a unified Western empire, Christianity's defender, an unbeatable warrior, a wise political leader, upholder of justice, martyr, and saint. These legends found their fullest expression in the chansons de geste - a collection of roughly 80 Old French epic poems that later spread throughout medieval European literature.