The End of Charlemagne's Life

Name Class Date The Early Middle Ages Primary Source The End of Charlemagne’s Life

ABOUT THE READING Einhard lived and VOCABULARY worked in Charlemagne’s court beginning in bade ordered 791 or 792. Einhard started writing his biography of the great king in 817, three years interred buried after Charlemagne’s death. In this reading we lamentations expressions hear about the last days of Charlemagne. of grief portended predicted As you read consider the ways in which people despised hated responded to Charlemagne’s life and death.

Toward the close of his life, when he was broken by ill-health and old age, he summoned Louis, King of Aquitania, his only surviving son by Hildegard, and gathered together all the chief men of the whole kingdom of the Franks in a solemn assembly. He appointed Louis, with their unanimous consent, to rule with himself over the whole kingdom, and constituted him heir to the imperial name; then, A diadem is a crown placing the diadem upon his son’s head, he bade him be proclaimed Emperor and Augustus. This The title Augustus originated in step was hailed by all present with great favor, for it the Roman Empire. really seemed as if God had prompted him to it for the kingdom’s good; it increased the king’s dignity, and struck no little terror into foreign nations. After sending his son back to Aquitania, although weak from age he set out to hunt, as usual, near his palace at Aix-la-Chapelle. . . While wintering there, he was seized, in the month of January, with a high fever, and took to his bed. . . He died January 27, the seventh day from the time that he took to his bed, at nine o’clock in the morning, after partaking of the holy communion, in the seventy-second year of Charlemagne was believed to have been born in 742. He his age and the forty-seventh of his reign. died in 814.

Source: The Life of Charlemagne, by Einhard

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His body was washed and cared for in the usual manner, and was then carried to the church, and interred amid the greatest lamentations of all the people. Very many omens had portended his approaching end, a fact that he had recognized as well as others. Eclipses both of the sun and moon were very frequent during the last three years of his life, and a black spot was visible on the sun for the space of seven days. The gallery between the basilica and the palace, which he had built at great pains and labor, fell in sudden ruin to the ground on the day of the Ascension of our Lord. The wooden This is the day on which Christians celebrate Jesus’s return to heaven. bridge over the Rhine at Mayence, which he had caused to be constructed with admirable skill, at the cost of ten years’ hard work, so that it seemed as if it might last forever, was so completely consumed in three hours by an accidental fire that not a single splinter of it was left, except what was under water. Saxony is a region in Germany that at that time included northern Moreover, one day in his last campaign into Saxony Germany and part of Britain. By against Godfred, king of the Danes, [Charlemagne] conquering Saxony, Charlemagne greatly expanded his empire. himself saw a ball of fire fall suddenly from the heavens with a great light, just as he was leaving camp before sunrise to set out on the march. It rushed across the clear sky from right to left, and everybody was wondering what was the meaning of the sign, when the horse which he was riding gave a sudden plunge, head foremost, and fell, and threw him to the ground so heavily that his cloak buckle was broken and his sword belt shattered; and after his servants had hastened to him and relieved him of his arms, he could not rise without their assistance. He happened to have a javelin in his hand when he was thrown, and this was struck from his grasp with such force that it was found lying at a distance of 20 feet or more from the spot. . . But [Charlemagne] despised, or affected to despise, all these omens, as having no reference whatever to him.

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WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. What two belief systems are contrasted in this reading? Give details from the text to support your answer.

2. Who else besides historians would be interested in this account? Why?

3. Why do you think Einhard is careful to describe Charlemagne’s attitude toward the omens?

55623_MSH_PrimSource_Ch17a.indd623_MSH_PrimSource_Ch17a.indd 1818 66/28/05/28/05 33:34:44:34:44 PMPM Name Class Date The Early Middle Ages Primary Source Feudal Capitularies

ABOUT THE READING After the fall of the Roman Empire, it became common in Europe to form voluntary alliances to ensure security against invaders and other threats. The more powerful member of the alliance, or lord, agreed to protect the weaker member, or vassal, in return for the vassal’s services. In addition to a military alliance, the lord and the vassal often shared a landlord-tenant relationship. In the Frankish Empire of northern Europe, kings, who served as the sovereign, or chief, lord over many landholders often issued regulations to govern the relationship between lords and vassals. Sets of these regulations are known as capitularies, from the Latin word for chapter. The following selection includes two such capitularies. The third passage is a commentary on the nature of feudal relationships written by a medieval scholar.

As you read consider why rules concerning the relationship between lord and vassal developed.

Capitulary Concerning Freemen and Vassals, 816 This capitulary from the Frankish Empire outlines when VOCABULARY a vassal is entitled to leave a lord. perpetrated carried out If anyone shall wish to leave his lord, and is able to prove against him one of these crimes, that is, in the first place, if the lord has wished to reduce him unjustly into servitude; in the second place, if he Vassals were not to be treated as servants. has taken counsel against his life; in the third place, if the lord has committed adultery with the wife of his vassal; in the fourth place, if he has willfully attacked him with a drawn sword; in the fifth place, if the lord has been able to bring defense to his A lord was required to defend his vassal after he has commended his hands to him, vassal if he was able to.

Source: Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of European History E. P. Cheyney (trans.),Vol. 4, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1898.

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and has not done so; it is allowed to the vassal to leave him. If the lord has perpetrated anything against the vassal in these five points it is allowed the vassal to leave him.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. Under what circumstances was it permissible for a vassal to leave his lord? List all the specific cases given in the selections.

Capitulary of Mersen, 847 With this capitulary, the three grandsons of Charlemagne VOCABULARY tried to force all freemen who had not already entered will command, declare into a feudal relationship with a lord to do so. admonish gently warn We will moreover that each free man in our kingdom shall choose a lord, from us or our faithful, such a one as he wishes. We command moreover that no man shall leave his lord without just cause, nor should any one receive him, except in such a way as was customary in the time of our predecessors. And we wish you to know that we want to grant right to our faithful subjects and we do not wish to These men were pledging to treat their vassals well. do anything to them against reason. Similarly we admonish you and the rest of our faithful subjects that you grant right to your men and do not act against reason toward them. And we will that the man of each one of us in whosoever kingdom he is, shall go with his lord against the enemy, or in his other needs unless there shall have been (as may there not be) such an invasion of the kingdom as is called a landwar, so that the whole people of that kingdom shall go together to repel it.

Source: Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of European History Vol. 4, E. P. Cheyney (trans.), University of Pennsylvania Press, 1898.

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WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. What was a vassal’s main responsibility?

2. Why do you think the lords promised to treat the vassals fairly?

Fulbert of Chartres, Mutual Duties of Vassals and Lords, 1020 VOCABULARY Fulbert, the bishop of Chartres, France, founded a fealty loyalty, faithfulness school there that drew scholars from across Europe. He practicable capable of was regarded as one of the leading intellectuals being done of his day. William V, Duke of Aquitaine, had requested Fulbert’s thoughts on the nature of feudal obligations. abstain hold back from Fulbert responded as follows. reciprocally mutually To William most glorious duke of the Aquitanians, perfidious treacherous, disloyal bishop Fulbert [offers] the favor of his prayers. Asked to write something concerning the form of fealty, I have noted briefly for you on the authority of the books the things which follow. He who swears fealty to his lord ought always to have these six things in memory; what is harmless, safe, honorable, useful, easy, practicable. Harmless, that is to say that he should not be injurious to his lord in his body; safe, that he should not be injurious to him in his secrets or in the defenses through which he is able to be secure; honorable, that he should not be injurious to him in his justice or in other matters that pertain to his honor; useful, that he should not be injurious to him in his possessions; easy or practicable, that that good which his lord is able to do easily, he make not difficult, nor that which is practicable he make impossible to him. However, that the faithful vassal should avoid these injuries is proper, but not for this does he

Source: Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of European History Vol. 4, E. P. Cheyney (trans.), University of Pennsylvania Press, 1898.

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deserve his holding; for it is not sufficient to abstain from evil, unless what is good is done also. It remains, therefore, that in the same six things mentioned above he should faithfully counsel and aid his lord, if he wishes to be looked upon as worthy of his benefice and to be safe concerning the A benefice is land held by a vassal in return for services to his lord. fealty which he has sworn. The lord also ought to act toward his faithful vassal reciprocally in all these things. And if he does not do this he will be justly considered guilty of bad faith, just as the former, if he should be detected in the avoidance of or the doing of or the consenting to them, would be perfidious and perjured. I would have written to you at greater length, if I had not been occupied with many other things, including the rebuilding of our city and church which was lately entirely consumed in a great fire; from which loss though we could not for a while be diverted, yet by the hope of the comfort of God and of you we breathe again.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. Under what circumstances, according to Fulbert, would a lord be guilty of bad faith? Give specific examples from the selection.

2. What does Fulbert mean when he says, “it is not sufficient to abstain from evil, unless what is good is done also?”

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MAKE A COMPARISON 1. Do these selections seem to increase or decrease the rights of vassals? Cite examples from the passages to support your answer.

2. Why do you think these passages are so concerned with the duties of people?

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Biography Leif Ericsson Later biographers of Charlemagne would depend on this biography because it was WHAT DID YOU LEARN? written by someone who was present 1. Ericsson named his landing site Vinland when the events occurred. (Wineland). 3. Students will answer in various ways, 2. There were grapes where Ericsson landed. but they should recognize that while His men made wine from the grapes so Charlemagne would have wanted to be he named the place Vinland, which means seen as generous and appealing to the Wineland. people, he may also have distrusted their 3. Accept reasonable answers. superstitions and beliefs.

Literature Primary Source CALL-OUT BOXES Feudal Capitularies 1. silvery metal, gleaming WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 2. My people have said, the wisest, most Capitulary Concerning Freemen and knowing and best of them, that my duty Vassals, 816 was to go to the Danes’ 1. The vassal could leave if he proved the 3. drove five giants into chains, hunted lord guilty of forcing the vassal to be a monsters out of the ocean servant; threatening the vassal’s life; ANALYZING LITERATURE committing adultery with the vassal’s wife; 1. epic poem: subject—brave warrior, attacking the vassal with a drawn sword; Beowulf; length—long and detailed; or failing to come to the vassal’s aid when Japanese haiku: subject—nature, animals; the lord is able to do so. length—very short, three lines. WHAT DID YOU LEARN? 2. It told exciting stories about heroes and Capitulary of Mersen, 847 their adventures. 1. They must defend their lord’s kingdom against invaders. Primary Source The End 2. Answers will vary but should reflect an of Charlemagne’s Life understanding that fair treatment will inspire loyalty and ensure the vassals have WHAT DID YOU LEARN? no reason to be unfaithful to their lords. 1. The belief system of the Catholic Church is contrasted with a belief in WHAT DID YOU LEARN? omens from pagan times. The selection Fulbert of Chartres, Mutual Duties of includes references to Holy Communion, Vassals and Lords, 1020 Charlemagne’s burial in a church, and 1. The lord must treat the vassal as well as God’s approval of Charlemagne’s choice the vassal treats the lord. Examples from of an heir. There are a variety of omens, the text may include refraining from including an eclipse, a ball of fire from the causing injury, from frustrating his efforts, heavens, and a mysterious fire. from threatening his honor or security, 2. Astronomers would be interested in and from injustice. the account because it gives detailed 2. He means that to be deserving of his information about astronomical property, the vassal must not merely phenomena that they could use in refrain from committing misdeeds, but understanding the sky and the universe. also actively help his lord. Cultural anthropologists would be interested in it because of the details concerning the people’s superstitions.

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MAKE A COMPARISON Social Studies Skills 1. Answer will vary, but students might note the various aspects of the passages that PRACTICE AND APPLY THE SKILL seem to offer protection for vassals. Students’ answers will vary, but should 2. Answers will vary, but students might say demonstrate that they recognize that the that these rules helped bring order to diagram is a floor plan for a small house or society. cottage. Their “special features” should reflect an understanding of the topic. History and Geography Chapter Review MAP ACTIVITY 1. Answers will vary, but should trace one or REVIEWING VOCABULARY, TERMS, more of the routes from Scandinavia into AND PEOPLE Europe. 1. serfs 2. Lines should trace from Asia into 2. chivalry Germany, France, and Italy. 3. feudalism 3. Lines should trace from Africa and the 4. manor Middle East into Europe. 5. Eurasia 4. The island of Crete, southeast of Greece, 6. topography should be marked with an X. 7. medieval 5. Check to make sure legend colors match 8. Charlemagne the colors students used on the map. COMPREHENSION AND ANALYZING MAPS CRITICAL THINKING 1. The Magyars traveled in a southwesterly 1. knights direction as they invaded Europe. 2. William the Conqueror 2. The Vikings came from the north. The 3. haiku Muslims came from the south. 4. Middle Ages 3. Answers will vary. Sample answer: I think the Magyars did not use ships to invade REVIEWING THEMES Europe. They came from a region that was 1. A monastery is a community of religious not near any large bodies of water. Also, men who devote their lives to prayer, they traveled by land and not water. work, and meditation. 4. Answers will vary. Sample answer: I think 2. A missionary is a person who tries to the Vikings would have been less successful convert others to his or her religion. in invading Europe if they did not have ships. They would have had to travel a greater distance by land than they did by sea. Trips would take longer and they couldn’t get to as many places as they did by ship. Also, they probably would run into more people on land and have had more battles as they traveled.

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