Charles, King of the Franks, is one of the most remarkable figures ever to rule a European super-state. That's why he is often called 'Charles the Great': by the French 'Charlemagne' and by the Germans 'Karl der Grosse'. Janet L. Nelson's wonderful book brings together everything we know about him and sifts through the evidence to come as close as we can to understanding the man and his motives. A major new biography of one of the most extraordinary of all rulers, and the father of present-day Europe.