8 Century Collection

The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones)
8620126 The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones, cameos and coloured glasses) by Lombard School

The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones)
8620127 The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones, cameos and coloured glasses) by Lombard School

The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones)
8620128 The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones, cameos and coloured glasses) by Lombard School

The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones)
8620125 The Cross of Desiderius, adorned with stones, cameos and coloured glasses, detail, end of 8th century ( stones, cameos and coloured glasses) by Lombard School

Arab life during the Abbasidian times
3779001 Arab life during the Abbasidian times -; (add.info.: Arab life during the Abbasidian times - miniatures from the Maqamat of al-Hariri)

St Etheldreda, 8th century, Festival 23 June (colour litho)
8658603 St Etheldreda, 8th century, Festival 23 June (colour litho) by Robinson, Frederick Cayley (1862-1927); Private Collection; (add.info.: St Etheldreda, 8th century, Festival 23 June)

King Chilperic II, ca 1900 (illustration)
7422797 King Chilperic II, ca 1900 (illustration); (add.info.: History. France. Chilperic II (670-721), king of Francks. Imagery, France, ca 1900.); © Archives Charmet

King Chilperic III, ca 1900 (illustration)
7422795 King Chilperic III, ca 1900 (illustration); (add.info.: History. France. King of francks Chilperic III (743-751). Imagery, France, ca 1900.); © Archives Charmet

Charlemagne
6266285 Charlemagne; (add.info.: Charlemagne, aka Charles the Great and Charles I, 748-814. King of the Franks, King of the Lombards and Emperor of the Romans.); Photo © Ken Welsh

The lazy kings in a cart by oxen (engraving)
5944523 The lazy kings in a cart by oxen (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Engraving The lazy kings showed themselves in public ceremonies in a cart dragged by oxen Special Collection)

Christ and the apostles, 8th century (fresco) (detail)
BEN138680 Christ and the apostles, 8th century (fresco) (detail); Santa Sofia, Benevento, Campania, Italy; Photo © Raffaello Bencini

Musicians with different musical instruments, -in "De Musica libri quartet"
GIA5036376 Musicians with different musical instruments, -in "De Musica libri quartet", Irish codex of the VII-VIII centuries

The King of the Francs Charlemagne (742-814) establishing schools for lay children in 789
ELD4852569 The King of the Francs Charlemagne (742-814) establishing schools for lay children in 789 and meeting with schoolchildren to promote education

Numa Pompilius (6th CenturyII A.c -s. VII BC). (engraving)
CUL4861981 Numa Pompilius (6th CenturyII A.c -s. VII BC). (engraving); Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid, Spain; (add.info.: Numa Pompilius (6th CenturyII A.c -s. VII BC). King of Rome between 715-673 BC

History of kings. Charlemagne (742-814) leading the Francs to battle. Colour engraving of the 19th century
NWI4944153 History of kings. Charlemagne (742-814) leading the Francs to battle. Colour engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info.: History of kings)

Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph, copperplate engraving from Strahlheim, 1840s (engraving)
UTD4919670 Harun al-Rashid, the fifth Abbasid Caliph, copperplate engraving from Strahlheim, 1840s (engraving); (add.info)

Widukind of Saxony or Wittekind of Saxony, known as the Great (755-810), an emblematic figure of the Saxon resistance
NWI4928002 Widukind of Saxony or Wittekind of Saxony, known as the Great (755-810), an emblematic figure of the Saxon resistance against the Franks

Roland blowing his horn during the battle against the Saracens at Roncesvaux in 789
NWI4927988 Roland blowing his horn during the battle against the Saracens at Roncesvaux in 789. Colour engraving of the 19th century.; (add.info)

Portrait of Saint Bede the Venerable (Beda Venerabilis) (672-735) Monk and Doctor of the Church (St Bede the Venerable)
ELD4910689 Portrait of Saint Bede the Venerable (Beda Venerabilis) (672-735) Monk and Doctor of the Church (St Bede the Venerable)

Beginning of the Gospel according to Saint Luke. Reproduction of the Gospels of Lindisfarne (Lindisfarne Gospels)
NWI4892350 Beginning of the Gospel according to Saint Luke. Reproduction of the Gospels of Lindisfarne (Lindisfarne Gospels)

Ring Brooch with linked hoop from Ireland
3330366 Ring Brooch with linked hoop from Ireland; (add.info.: Ring brooch with linked hoop from Ireland. Dated 8th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Ring Brooch with linked hoop from Ireland
3330368 Ring Brooch with linked hoop from Ireland; (add.info.: Ring brooch with linked hoop from Ireland. Dated 8th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Baptism of Witikind, 786. 19th century (trade card in chromolithograph)
543291 Baptism of Witikind, 786. 19th century (trade card in chromolithograph); (add.info.: Wittekind or Witikind (d807) Saxon warrior and commander surrendered to Charlemagne at Paderborn in 785

The Buddhist goddess Tara, the consort of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion
528927 The Buddhist goddess Tara, the consort of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. 8th century (cast bronze from Sri Lanka); Universal History Archive/UIG

Charles the Great crowned by the Pope (engraving)
1577676 Charles the Great crowned by the Pope (engraving); (add.info.: Charlemagne crowned as Emperor by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800)

Jade mask of the bat god (Bat), from Monte Alban, Mexico, 6th-8th century (jade)
AIS5377143 Jade mask of the bat god (Bat), from Monte Alban, Mexico, 6th-8th century (jade); Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Mexico City, Mexico; © Iberfoto

Saxon king in chainmail tunic with double-edged sword and shield, and Anglo-Saxon king of the Heptarchy, 8th century
FLO4623233 Saxon king in chainmail tunic with double-edged sword and shield, and Anglo-Saxon king of the Heptarchy, 8th century

Saint Zechariah, pope from 741 to 752, 1932 (engraving)
DUV4202432 Saint Zechariah, pope from 741 to 752, 1932 (engraving) by Neziere, Raymond de la (1865-1953); Private Collection; (add.info.: Saint Zechariah, pope from 741 to 752)

Map showing the area more or less under Frankish dominion in the time of Charles Martel, 8th century, 1936
7125148 Map showing the area more or less under Frankish dominion in the time of Charles Martel, 8th century, 1936; (add.info)

Castle of the Moors, dating from the 8th or 9th century, Sintra, Portugal (b/w photo)
6436314 Castle of the Moors, dating from the 8th or 9th century, Sintra, Portugal (b/w photo); (add.info.: Sintra, Lisbon Province, Portugal. Castelo dos Mouros)

The bronze statue of Charlemagne, digital improved reproduction of an original print 1880
7278160 The bronze statue of Charlemagne, digital improved reproduction of an original print 1880; Private Collection; (add.info.: The bronze statue of Charlemagne)

Mosaic painting, St. Peter presents the flag of to Leo III
7278130 Mosaic painting, St. Peter presents the flag of to Leo III; Private Collection; (add.info.: Mosaic painting, St. Peter presents the flag of to Leo III)

The Holy Face of Lucca, St. Martin's cathedral, Italy. c. 770-880
7264830 The Holy Face of Lucca, St. Martin's cathedral, Italy. c. 770-880; San Martino Cathedral, Lucca, Italy; (add.info.: The Holy Face of Lucca)

Pendant decorated in cloisonne with a beast, 301-700 (gold, stone)
7310016 Pendant decorated in cloisonne with a beast, 301-700 (gold, stone); 2.6 cm; Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford, UK; (add.info.: Display: gold, stone, Material: gold)

Charlemagne and the ecclesiastic Alcuin, c.1900 (chromo)
3433708 Charlemagne and the ecclesiastic Alcuin, c.1900 (chromo); (add.info.: History. France. Charlemagne and the ecclesiastic Alcuin (8th cent. ) Imagery, France, ca 1900.); Photo © CCI

Ring Brooch with linked hoop from Ireland
3330192 Ring Brooch with linked hoop from Ireland; (add.info.: Ring brooch with linked hoop from Ireland. Dated 8th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Pepin king of France, Carolingian dynasty, copperplate engraving from Stahlheim, 1840s (engraving)
UTD4919733 Pepin king of France, Carolingian dynasty, copperplate engraving from Stahlheim, 1840s (engraving); (add.info.: Pepin III dit le Bref (714-768), roi des Francs - Pepin

Anglo-Saxon (recreation) wall hanging showing ships and soldiers
2910994 Anglo-Saxon (recreation) wall hanging showing ships and soldiers; (add.info.: Anglo-Saxon (recreation) wall hanging showing ships and soldiers

Anglo-Saxon (recreation) wall hanging showing soldiers
2910995 Anglo-Saxon (recreation) wall hanging showing soldiers; (add.info.: Anglo-Saxon (recreation) wall hanging showing soldiers, English 8th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Pepin the Short writing to Pope Zachary (coloured engraving)
8672820 Pepin the Short writing to Pope Zachary (coloured engraving) by Robida, Albert (1848-1926); Private Collection; (add.info)

Charlemagne showing his courtiers the value of his sheepskin cloak (engraving)
8626241 Charlemagne showing his courtiers the value of his sheepskin cloak (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Tapestry. Tournai. The battle of Roncevaux (La Bataille de Roncevaux). Wool and silk. Third quart 15th century
7209815 Tapestry. Tournai. The battle of Roncevaux (La Bataille de Roncevaux). Wool and silk. Third quart 15th century. 250x180cm.; 250x180 cm; Musee de la Tapisserie, Tournai

The Pillar of Eliseg
7243376 The Pillar of Eliseg; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Pillar of Eliseg, aka Elise's Pillar or Croes Elisedd, near Valle Crucis Abbey, Denbighshire, Wales)

Charlemagne (742-814) crowned by Pope Leo III, 1844 (engraving)
ELD4956852 Charlemagne (742-814) crowned by Pope Leo III, 1844 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charlemagne (742-814) crowned by Pope Leo III (c750-816)

Musicians with different musical instruments, -in "De Musica libri quartet"
GIA5036385 Musicians with different musical instruments, -in "De Musica libri quartet", Irish codex of the VII-VIII centuries, by Torquatus Severinus.; © Giancarlo Costa

Charlemagne, the emperor with a flowery beard - Charlemagne, called the King with the Grizzly Beard in the Song of
NWI4944174 Charlemagne, the emperor with a flowery beard - Charlemagne, called the King with the Grizzly Beard in the Song of Roland

The baptism of Saint Odile (c. 662-720) by his uncle Saint Erhard, 1932 (engraving)
DUV4202373 The baptism of Saint Odile (c. 662-720) by his uncle Saint Erhard, 1932 (engraving) by Neziere, Raymond de la (1865-1953); Private Collection; (add.info.: The baptism of Saint Odile (c)

Representation of Taraise of Constantinople (730-806) refusing to grant annulment of the marriage of Emperor
ELD4911780 Representation of Taraise of Constantinople (730-806) refusing to grant annulment of the marriage of Emperor Constantine VI (771-797) with his wife Mary of Amnia on January 3, 795

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In the 8th century, a storage jar made of earthenware stood as a testament to the craftsmanship of that era. Meanwhile, Emperor Charlemagne's passion for education and support for scholars earned him the title of patron of schools. As depicted in an engraving, he even visited schools himself, emphasizing his interest in learning. The influence of this time period extended beyond educational pursuits. A Frankish chief and soldier from the 8th century showcased their bravery and loyalty through an intricate engraving. Similarly, a wall panel portrayed Na-Bolon-K'an adorned in ritual dress, reflecting the religious practices prevalent during that time. Artifacts like a spherical bead with four glyphs made from jadeite hinted at the rich cultural heritage of this era. These small yet significant objects offered glimpses into ancient civilizations' artistic expressions and symbolic language. Charlemagne himself was immortalized in engravings as King of the Franks. His reign marked an important chapter in European history when political power intertwined with intellectual curiosity. The Battle of Poitiers held immense historical significance; its depiction on oil pulp board captured its intensity and impact on shaping medieval Europe's destiny. Religious beliefs were also prominent during this period: The Resurrection of the Dead and Weighing Souls served as reminders to individuals about life's ultimate purpose beyond earthly existence. Notable figures emerged during these times too; Bishop Aldhelm left his mark on Sherborn while Eginhard became known for documenting Charlemagne's life through his writings.