Picturing the PastCharlemagne and His Wife This illumination from a ninth-century manuscript portrays Charlemagne with one of his wives. Marriage was an important tool of diplomacy for Charlemagne, and he had a number of wives and concubines. (Erich Lessing/Art Resource, NY)ANALYZING THE IMAGE What does Charlemagne appear to be doing? How would you characterize his wife’s reaction?CONNECTIONS Does this depiction of a Frankish queen match what you’ve read about female rulers in this era, such as Theodora and Clotild?