Editing Charlemagne (section)

===Governing the empire===
[[File:Aachener Dom BW 2016-07-09 13-49-15.jpg|thumb|alt=A simple seat at the top of several stone steps|Charlemagne's [[Throne of Charlemagne|throne]] in Aachen Cathedral]]
Charlemagne left Italy in the summer of 801 after adjudicating several ecclesiastical disputes in Rome and experiencing [[801 Apennine earthquake|an earthquake in Spoleto]].{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=387-389}} He never returned to the city.{{sfn|Costambeys|Innes|MacLean|2011|p=168}} Continuing trends and a ruling style established in the 790s,{{sfn|Costambeys|Innes|MacLean|2011|pp=173–174}} Charlemagne's reign from 801 onward is a "distinct phase"{{sfn|Nelson|2019|p=472}} characterised by more sedentary rule from Aachen.{{sfn|Costambeys|Innes|MacLean|2011|p=168}} Although conflict continued until the end of his reign, the relative peace of the imperial period allowed for attention on internal governance. The Franks continued to wage war, though these wars were defending and securing the empire's frontiers,{{sfn|Costambeys|Innes|MacLean|2011|p=170}}{{sfn|Nelson|2019|p=462}} and Charlemagne rarely led armies personally.{{sfn|Collins|1998|p=169}} A significant expansion of the [[Spanish March]] was achieved with a series of campaigns by Louis against the Emirate of Cordoba, culminating in the [[Siege of Barcelona (801)|801 capture of Barcelona]].{{sfn|Collins|1998|pp=74–75}}

The 802 ''[[Capitularia missorum specialia|Capitulare missorum generale]]'' was an expansive piece of legislation, with provisions governing the conduct of royal officials and requiring that all free men take an [[loyalty oath|oath of loyalty]] to Charlemagne.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=495–496}}{{sfn|Ganshof|1965}} The [[capitulary]] reformed the institution of the {{lang|la|[[Missus dominicus|missi dominici]]}}, officials who would now be assigned in pairs (a cleric and a lay aristocrat) to administer justice and oversee governance in defined territories.{{sfn|Fried|2016|pp=450–451}} The emperor also ordered the revision of the Lombard and Frankish legal codes.{{sfn|Fried|2016|pp=448–449}}

In addition to the {{lang|la|missi}}, Charlemagne also ruled parts of the empire with his sons as sub-kings.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=409, 411}} Although Pepin and Louis had some authority as kings in Italy and Aquitaine, Charlemagne had the ultimate authority and directly intervened.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=410–415}} Charles, their elder brother, had been given lands in Neustria in 789 or 790 and made a king in 800.{{sfn|Collins|1998|p=157}}

The 806 charter {{lang|la|Divisio Regnorum}} (''Division of the Realm'') set the terms of Charlemagne's succession.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|p=429}} Charles, as his eldest son in good favour, was given the largest share of the inheritance: rule of Francia, Saxony, [[Margraviate of the Nordgau|Nordgau]], and parts of Alemannia. The two younger sons were confirmed in their kingdoms and gained additional territories; most of Bavaria and Alemmannia was given to Pepin, and Provence, Septimania, and parts of Burgundy were given to Louis.{{sfn|Fried|2016|p=477}} Charlemagne did not address the inheritance of the imperial title.{{sfn|Collins|1998|p=157}} The {{lang|la|Divisio}} also provided that if any of the brothers predeceased Charlemagne, their sons would inherit their share; peace was urged among his descendants.{{sfn|Nelson|2019|pp=432–435}}