Thomas Hodgkin's 'The Life of Charlemagne' tells the story of one of the most powerful rulers in European history. Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was a king of the Franks, who went on to become the Emperor of the Romans. This biography covers his life from his birth to his death, detailing his numerous campaigns and battles, including his conversion of the Saxons to Christianity. Charlemagne is known as the "Father of Europe" for his efforts to unite the continent, and his reign spurred the Carolingian Renaissance.