Palace of Aachen
This palace is owned by, and accommodates Charlemagne. He has lived in the property was built in the 790s and attached to the city of Aachen.
Purpose / Function
This palace is the main palace for Charlemagne since he moved the court from Parisius. This is partly due to his ongoing interest in the war against the Saxons, and also in part due to him getting on in years and not having an itinerant court to worry about.
It serves as his main palace with the council hall, treasury & archives, tribunal & garrison, metatorium & curia, secraterium and chapel all attached.
It is in heartlands of Austrasia, the cradle of his family (the Carolingians), East of the Meuse river, at a crossroads of land roads and on a tributary of the Rur, called the Wurm.
It was modified according to suit the old Roman settlement and roads in the area that made the city of Aachen.
Alterations
A major alteration is the building of a private chapel for Charlemagne, his family assistants and any nobles present. This is used by the local bishop for services as much as to say to the people that Charlemagne is a pious Christian. It was modified from the original pagan Saxon shrine that the previous owners had here. It was done to show that the Franks and their allies are the dominant peoples here now, and the only part that still has minor structures & designs still in it compared to the rest of the Palace.
Architecture
This was built in the Carolingian style. It has a natural look of wooden structures with some stone taken in primarily to show that the occupiers are wealthy. There are carvings and reliefs in and around showing Christian iconography, the Carolingian & Mergovinian heritage of the nobility, as well as military & hunting scenes. The Dwarves of Clan Asgersonn helped in overseeing the building of it.
Defenses
The Palace has guard posts built throughout, along with a barracks for military members to one side. The use of stone here & there helps to keep it strong, and at a high point to slow down enemy troops. It has a stockade / palisade around it to help try to funnel anybody approaching up through points that are manned with troops. Patrols regularly move around the grounds & Palace with regular checks made throughout, and just beyond.
It is situated just north of the Tower of Emon Kanis to allow for quick access between them, and heavily manned between them. It also allows for the Tower Guards to respond between them. Magic runes is carved into much of the stone & wooden parts allowing for magical wards to kick in if need be as well as Wall spells of different kinds.
What many don't know, is that traps are built into the Palace as well, especially the private quarters, the treasury, and the chapel. These involve pits, darts, spikes and gasses.
History
The palace was built to take in the roads originally built by the Romans, and is attached to the town of Aachen. The area was settled by the Romans because of the local hot springs.
Since the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the area was inhabited by Saxons, who looked to use it as a shrine to their own gods. Since the invasion of Saxony by the Franks, the latter has torn down the old Saxon structures and built the present Palace here as a sign of strength and power. This has led to a bitter hatred of the Franks by the locals who many are still Saxon by birth.
"Fine structure that, the Palace of Aachen. Built with local wood, and some local stone. Originally much of the material was there, plus the foundations. Charlemagne had the good idea to get local Saxons under the tutelage of his own builders & the Dwarves of Clan Asgersonn. Sturdy stuff. And that wizard, Emon Kanis, helped with a few rituals too, for protection purposes.
Still, the locals would do anything to tear it down. They're still Saxon at heart, and see it as a Palace of a conqueror. Most know they'll never have the chance so just go about their business.
The royal court is held there, and the leadership has moved here from Parisius. They make plans and think up new laws all the time. Most come to naught though, so that's a relief for many. A good number of the new counts, and older jarls, can be found coming & going, along with all sorts of representatives, as well as merchants who are looking a bit of extra coin.
In the Palace it shows a good number of scenes depicting the history of warfare & hunting carried out by Charlemagne and his people. Very impressive indeed. And it's rumoured to be trapped too. Many a fool has tried to break in, or just escape, only to be poisoned by gas, or fallen into spiked pits. A smart move, means it's harder to assassinate or assault the Palace without incurring injury before an axe is swung."
From the works of Elgar the Historian 814 AD.
Founding Date
790s AD
Type
Palace
Owner
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
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