How many years did it take Charlemagne to consolidate his empire?

Charlemagne took several decades to consolidate his empire, primarily during his reign from 768 to 814. The most significant efforts to unify and expand his territory occurred between 772 and 804, as he waged wars against the Saxons and Lombards, among others. By the time of his death in 814, he had successfully established a vast and cohesive empire that laid the foundation for modern Europe. Overall, it took him about 30 to 40 years to fully consolidate his power and territory.