Editing Charlemagne (section)

===Continued wars with the Saxons and Avars===
Charlemagne gathered an army after the council of Frankfurt as Saxon resistance continued, beginning a series of annual campaigns which lasted through 799.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=319–321}} The campaigns of the 790s were even more destructive than those of earlier decades, with the annal writers frequently noting Charlemagne "burning", "ravaging", "devastating", and "laying waste" the Saxon lands.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=323–324}} Charlemagne forcibly removed a large number of Saxons to Francia, installing Frankish elites and soldiers in their place.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=325–326, 329–331}} His extended wars in Saxony led to his establishing his court in [[Aachen]], which had easy access to the frontier. He built a large [[Palace of Aachen|palace]] there, including a chapel which is now part of the [[Aachen Cathedral]].{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=356–359}} Einhard joined the court at that time.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|p=340}} [[Pepin of Italy]] (Carloman) engaged in further wars against the Avars in the south, which led to the collapse of their kingdom and the eastward expansion of Frankish rule.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=326, 333}}

Charlemagne also worked to expand his influence through diplomatic means during the 790s wars, focusing on the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Britain. Charles the Younger proposed a marriage pact with the daughter of King [[Offa of Mercia]], but Offa insisted that Charlemagne's daughter Bertha also be given as a bride for his son.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=270–271}} Charlemagne refused the arrangement, and the marriage did not take place.{{sfn|Fried|2016|p=83}} Charlemagne and Offa entered into a formal peace in 796, protecting trade and securing the rights of English pilgrims to pass through Francia on their way to Rome.{{sfn|Fried|2016|pp=84–85}} Charlemagne was also the host and protector of several deposed English rulers who were later restored: [[Eadberht III Præn|Eadbehrt of Kent]], [[Ecgberht, King of Wessex]], and [[Eardwulf of Northumbria]].{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=352, 400, 460}}{{sfn|Fried|2016|p=466}} Nelson writes that Charlemagne treated the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms "like satellite states," establishing direct relations with English bishops.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|p=353}} Charlemagne also forged an alliance with [[Alfonso II of Asturias]], although Einhard calls Alfonso his "dependent".{{sfn|Collins|1998|p=74}} Following his [[Sack of Lisbon (798)|sack of Lisbon]] in 798, Alfonso sent Charlemagne trophies of his victory, including armour, mules and prisoners.{{sfn|Reuter|1985|p=85}}