He was embellishing the capital which he had founded, and which was called the king's court.

He had built there a grand basilica, magnificently adorned.

He was completing his own palace there.

He fetched from Italy clerics skilled in church music, a pious joyance to which he was much devoted, and which he recommended to the bishops of his empire.

In the outskirts of Aix-la-Chapelle "he gave full scope," said Eginhard, "to his delight in riding and hunting.