Charlemagne, known as Charles the Great, passed away at the age of 72 in Aachen, which served as both his court and a cultural center of the empire he built. His reign began in 768 and is noted for the Carolingian Renaissance, which revitalized literature, art, and culture throughout the territory. Charlemagne's military conquests expanded the Frankish Empire significantly, uniting much of Western Europe under Christian governance. Upon his death, he bequeathed his dominion to his only surviving son, Louis the Pious, who was crowned Emperor in 813 in a ceremony emphasizing continuity of his father's legacy.

Louis's ascension was marked by a commitment to Christian values and a focus on benevolent rulership. However, he faced considerable challenges, including managing relations among the nobility and addressing disputes over succession and territory among his sons. Louis’s reign would ultimately demonstrate early signs of fragmentation within the empire, primarily due to differing policies and his belief in a more collaborative approach to governance compared to his father’s often authoritative methods. The initial stability provided by Charlemagne's name and memory also began to wane as divisions among his heirs became apparent.

The transition from Charlemagne to Louis marked a significant moment in European history, indicating both the legacy of a unified empire and the emerging complexities of succession. Louis the Pious’s reign faced issues that would plague the remaining centuries of the Carolingian dynasty, ultimately leading to divisions that would influence the political landscape of medieval Europe.