The Holy Roman Empire had its origins several centuries earlier in the Frankish Carolingian Empire. The most famous of the Frankish Kings, Charlemagne, would eventually establish control over much of Western Europe, including the territories that would become the modern states of France and Germany, and the northern regions of Italy. In the year 800, on Christmas day, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor by Pope Leo III at Aachen, making Charlemagne the first ‘Western Emperor’ in roughly three centuries. Following Charlemagne’s death in 814, the empire became divided into the kingdoms of West, Middle and East Francia. Eventually the territories of Middle Francia would be absorbed into the eastern and western realms. The imperial crown would be contested