Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768-814, and Emperor of the Romans from 800-814. He became a key figure in the development of Western civilization. He was the first Germanic ruler to revive the title of emperor since the Romans, and his empire lasted for a thousand years. He waged more than 50 campaigns (wars) conquering much of Europe, and is considered one of the greatest military leaders of the Middle Ages. His capital was located in Aachen, Germany. http://www2.lucidcafe.com/lucidcafe/library/96apr/Charlemagne.html

During the 800s Danish raiders attacked and conquered all of England except Wessex. King Alfred of Wessex resisted and in 886 he finally defeated the Danes, forcing them to withdraw to the northern third of England. Alfred then claimed the title of King of England.  Alfred was a wise and just king and was an effective ruler. He supported Christianity, encouraged education, and built the first English fleet.  Under his reign, the shire (county) became a unit of local government and "common law" developed from the shire court system, and is the basis of law today in the United States and England.