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Which lands did Charlemagne conquer during his reign?
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Charlemagne
Charlemagne, oil on limewood by Albrecht DĆ¼rer, 1512; in the collection of the German National Museum, NĆ¼rnberg, Germany.
During his reign, Charlemagne significantly expanded the Frankish realm through extensive military campaigns across western Europe. His primary conquests included:
- Saxony: Following a difficult 30-year conflict (772ā804), Charlemagne annexed a large territory between the Rhine and Elbe rivers and forced the submission of the Frisians.12
- Italy: In 773ā774, he conquered the Lombard kingdom, assumed the Lombard crown, and annexed northern Italy.23
- Bavaria: He forcibly annexed Bavaria in 787ā788, ending long-standing resistance to Frankish rule.2
- Avar Empire: Following campaigns in the 790s, he dismantled the Avar empire, claiming territories in Carinthia and Pannonia.2
- Spanish March: After an initial defeat in 778, Charlemagne established a secure frontier known as the Spanish March, covering territory between the Pyrenees and the Ebro River.2
By the end of his reign, these military efforts had expanded his domain to cover much of western Europe, earning him a reputation as a formidable warrior king.12