| Charles the Younger | |
|---|---|
| Duke of Maine King of the Franks | |
| Reign | 789–811 |
| Coronation | 25 December 800 |
| Born | c. 772 |
| Died | 4 December 811 |
| Dynasty | Carolingian |
| Father | Charlemagne |
| Mother | Hildegard |
| Carolingian dynasty |
|---|
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Charles the Younger (c. 772 – 4 December 811) was the son of the Frankish ruler Charlemagne and his wife Queen Hildegard. Charlemagne's second son, Charles gained favour over his older, possibly illegitimate half brother Pepin. Charles was entrusted with lands and important military commands by his father. In 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III, and during this ceremony Charles was anointed a king. Charles was designated as the heir of the bulk of Charlemagne's lands but predeceased his father, leaving the empire to be inherited by his younger brother Louis the Pious.