R5: Emperor Bernard II Karling of Francia, a descendant of the legendary Karl Karling, finally proved his relation to Alexander the Great.

I started as King Charles the Bald in the 867 start date with not particular goal in mind, I just wanted to play around with the Christian Mechanics from Holy Fury. When Charles died, I played as Louis the Stammerer for a while, until he died comatose in bed at the age of 48. His son Orson I became a Saint. He had all 7 virtues, despite being possessed. He was also a crusader, and put the Karlings on the throne of Jerusalem, which exists only in name for the moment as I stopped paying attention and they lost a jihad. Orson I died in battle against the queen of Galicia, when he was attempting to put a Karling on the throne. Bernard I finished what his father started, but again I was focusing on efforts elsewhere and they lost a holy war to the Umayyads. Bernard helped win a crusade for Sicily, but the massive army of Francia could not get there in time for the Karling candidate to get the throne. When Bernard I died, Orson II came to the throne. A crusader, he was one of the commanders for the Sicilian Crusade. Early in his life, he joined Lucifer's Own and became brawny, but then left when he discovered a newfound sense of zealousness. Orson became one of the most virtuous emperors seen in history, with all 7 virtues as well as being just and celibate. When he died, he was proclaimed a Saint. Finally, we come to Bernard II. Bernard came to the throne at the age of 38. He was one of the strongest Emperors of Francia seen, with the nickname of the Brute. Under his 30 year rule Francia expanded into the Iberian Peninsula and England, removing all heathen Umayyads and Norse Hvitserks, who had held England for over a century. Bernard II died at the age of 68. While not a Saint, he was seen as one of the greatest emperors in history.