Nevertheless, the might of this empire rested on Charlemagne alone, and after his death it quickly fell apart. Here are 13 facts about the first Holy Roman Emperor. 1. His father wasn’t born a king.

Charlemagne was in his 70s when he died, and Rühli and colleagues say the bones belonged to an older man. Historical records (like the biography written by Charlemagne's courtier Einhard ...