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Charlemagne (742-814 AD), the famous king of the Franks,[1] was the son of Pepin the Short, though there was nothing short about him. Charlemagne stood at a staggering seven feet tall! Maybe that’s why he was known as Charles the Great. Or maybe it’s because he was such a powerful and positive influence on the Middle Ages. So influential was he, in fact, that historians often refer to him as the “Father of Europe.” His rule began in 768 AD when his father died, though he and his younger brother Carloman ruled the kingdom together—Charlemagne in the south and Carloman in the north. But when Carloman died a few years later in 771 Charlemagne became the kingdom’s sole ruler. Later, through military campaigns (many of which he led himself), “Charlemagne extended his territory until it included the greater part of western Europe…. [And] on Christmas Day, 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlamagne emperor of Rome.” [2] But this physically imposing King wasn’t all brawn. He was a very thoughtful, spiritual, intelligent, and intellectual man who “craved education, not only for himself but for his people. He believed that religion and education were the only sure foundations for a healthy state. But he needed a teacher.”[3] And he knew just the man for the job.
Alcuin of York (c. 735–804 AD). Alcuin was described by Charlemagne’s servant Einhard as “The most learned man anywhere to be found.”[4] And he would turn out to be the secret weapon Charlemagne needed to bring light to the dark places. Born around 735 AD in York, England, Alcuin was apparently orphaned at a young age and was raised by the schoolmasters at York’s Cathedral School. With a massive library there at his disposal, Alcuin also benefitted from some of the greatest minds of old—one of which was the famous Church theologian Augustine. This combined with Alcuin’s love for learning lead to the student becoming the teacher. And on February 2, 767 Alcuin became the school’s headmaster and a Deacon.[5]
Later, while traveling in Italy, the now famous scholar met Charlemagne. And, as Robert J. Morgan writes, “The two hit it off, one a physical giant, the other an intellectual one. Charlemagne asked Alcuin to educate his court, train his clergy, and establish parish schools. So Alcuin resigned at York and began teaching the royal family, the imperial advisors, and the clergy of the palace chapel. He based his curriculum on the seven liberal arts, saying the house of knowledge can only be perfectly built on these seven columns. He collected manuscripts for a royal library. And he began efforts to educate clergy everywhere, then the people. The first thing to learn, Alcuin said, was the Lord’s Prayer. Then, the Ten Commandments. He was ever zealous for studying the scriptures and preaching the gospel.”[6]
“On Christmas Day, 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlamagne emperor of Rome.”
New Standard Encyclopedia
With Alcuin’s influence, “Charlemagne’s conquests not only expanded the Frankish kingdom and its tributary lands, but also increased the domain of the Christian church. Wherever his armies were victorious, the people were converted and monasteries were built.”[7] But as Alcuin warned Charlamagne: “People cannot be ‘christianized’ by force…but brought to Christ by the Word of God.”[8]
After ten years of working with Charlemagne, Alcuin was able to return to England where he continued to minister until his death on Pentecost Sunday, May 19th, 804. While his passing was untimely since he was not yet even seventy years old, his love and passion for God and His Word had a lasting impact far beyond his own lifetime. His work—both in England and with Charlemagne—helped bring light into the dark places and even paved the way for the universities that would soon rise.[9]
Even today, Alcuin continues to lead people to Christ by way of his epitaph which he wrote himself. It reads:
Here, I beg thee, pause for a while, traveler,
And ponder my words in thy heart,
That thou mayest understand thy fate in my shadow:
The form of thy body will be changed as was mine.
What thou art now, famous in the world, I have been, traveler,
And what I now am, thou wilt be in the future.
I was wont to seek the joys of the world in vain desire:
Now I am ashes and dust, and food for worms.
Remember therefore to take better care of thy soul
Than of thy body, because that survives, and this perishes.
Why dost thou look for possessions? Thou see’st in what a little cavern
This tomb holds me: Thine will be equally small.
Why art thou eager to deck in Tyrian purple thy body
Which soon in the dust the hungry worm will devour?
As flowers perish when comes the menacing wind,
So also thy flesh and all thy glory perish.
Give me, I beg thee, O reader, a return for this poem,
And pray: “Grant, O Christ, forgiveness to thy servant.”
I implore thee, let no hand profane the holy rights of this tomb,
Until the angelic trumpet announces from Heaven high:
“Thou who liest in the tomb, rise from the dust of the earth,
The Mighty Judge appears to countless thousands.”
My name was Alcuin, and wisdom was always dear to me.
Pour out prayers for me when thou quietly readest this inscription.[10]
Alcuin was indeed a preacher in life and in death!
Ryan Hembree is a daily co-host, speaker, and writer of Bible Discovery. He also hosts a YouTube channel that shows the unity of the Bible and how science and Scripture fit together. Ryan also has an honorary Masters of Ministry in Creation Science from Phoenix University of Theology.
[1] The Franks were an ancient Germanic people.
[2] New Standard Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, Charlemagne, P. 222-223.
[3] Robert J. Morgan, On This Day in Christian History, February 2, Two Giants.
[4] Alcuin, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcuin
[5] Robert J. Morgan, On This Day in Christian History, February 2, Two Giants.
[6] Robert J. Morgan, On This Day in Christian History, February 2, Two Giants.
[7] New Standard Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, Charlemagne, P. 222-223.
[8] Robert J. Morgan, On This Day in Christian History, February 2, Two Giants.
[9] Robert J. Morgan, On This Day in Christian History, February 2, Two Giants.
[10] Fred Sanders, Alcuin’s Epitaph, https://scriptoriumdaily.com/alcuins-epitaph/
