Final answer:
Charlemagne divided his empire into counties run by counts and defended by marches managed by margraves. Later, the Treaty of Verdun further divided the empire into the West Franks, East Franks, and Lotharingia. These divisions were instrumental in shaping the future of Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charlemagne, also known as 'Charles the Great', reigned from 768 to 814 and was a pivotal figure in European history, particularly during the early medieval period. To rule his vast empire effectively, Charlemagne divided his territories into administrative units known as counties, which were governed by counts. These counts were often his military followers and were sent to rule lands to which they had no personal ties. Additionally, he created marches, borderlands that were administered by margraves responsible for the defense against foreign invasions. To ensure loyalty and adherence to his decrees, Charlemagne established a network of officials who traveled across the empire to inspect the counties and marches. This administrative structure was essential in maintaining control over a diverse and expansive empire.
After Charlemagne's death, his empire faced challenges of succession and stability. His son Louis the Pious continued his father's work, such as the revival of learning and church reform, but the empire was eventually split among Louis's offspring according to the Treaty of Verdun. In the end, the Frankish empire became three territories: the Kingdom of the West Franks, the Kingdom of the East Franks, and Lotharingia, which included Italy and parts of central Europe. These divisions laid the groundwork for the political landscape that would evolve into modern European states.