Statue of Charlemagne, in Paris. At Pepin's death in 768 the kingdom of the Franks included the greater part of what is now France, together with a portion of Germany. This territory was divided between his two sons, Carloman and Charles, who ruled over it together for three years, until 771, when, by the death of Carloman, Charles became the sole ruler. Charles, or to give him the title by which he is best known, Charlemagne (that is, Charles the Great), is the greatest figure in the history of the Middle Ages, and one of the ablest rulers of all time. His reign is itself an epoch in history; for the work he did lived after him, and influenced the nations of Europe for centuries to come.-Colby, 1899