Charlemagne, Master of Europe

About this board game

Charlemagne, Master of Europe is a solitaire strategy game for 1 player, with a play time of approximately 180 minutes, released in 2017. You assume the Frankish throne and attempt to duplicate—or surpass—the achievements of Charlemagne, King of the Franks and of the Lombards and Emperor of the Romans.

Guide the empire through more than forty years of warfare, diplomacy, administration, and cultural development. Conquer new territory while responding to rebels and palace intriguers, and build your prestige and wealth through public works and support for the Carolingian Renaissance.

The game presents a wide range of historical challenges. You must seek the support of the papacy, buy off Viking marauders, convert the pagans in Saxony, face incursions from Al-Andalus, build a powerful army, and maintain detente with the Byzantine Empire. Your decisions can also help you avoid famous setbacks such as the defeat at Roncevaux, later immortalized in the Song of Roland.

• Conquest: Expand the Frankish Empire and incorporate new territories.
• Political pressure: Contend with rebels, palace intrigue, and shifting relationships.
• Historical objectives: Balance warfare, diplomacy, administration, religion, and culture.
• Cup-adjustment system: Enemy chits move between Friendly, Unfriendly, and Hostile cups as your actions subtly change their stance.

Chits drawn from the Hostile cup are placed on the map, creating overt challenges to your rule. Every action can alter the position of these forces, making the consequences of empire-building difficult to predict.

Players familiar with Agricola, Master of Britain will recognize similarities in the cup-adjustment mechanism, while Charlemagne, Master of Europe offers a longer, more complex experience with its own nuances.