Charlemagne: Difference between revisions
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'''Charlemagne''' was the [[French]] name of Carolus Magnus (747-814), [[King]] of the [[ |
'''Charlemagne''' was the [[French]] name of Carolus Magnus (747-814), [[King]] of the [[Frank]]s, which is Charles the Great in [[English]]. Son of [[Pepin]]. Charlemagne's new [[Carolingian]] dynasty supplanted the reigning [[Merovingian]]s. |
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Charlemagne fought [[battle]]s almost constantly throughout his life. He conquered [[Saxony]] and fought a number of [[battle]]s with [[Muslim Spain]], which lead to the [[Song of Roland]] [[mythology|legends]]. |
Charlemagne fought [[battle]]s almost constantly throughout his life. He conquered [[Saxony]] and fought a number of [[battle]]s with [[Muslim Spain]], which lead to the [[Song of Roland]] [[mythology|legends]]. |
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Revision as of 18:38, 8 December 2005
Charlemagne was the French name of Carolus Magnus (747-814), King of the Franks, which is Charles the Great in English. Son of Pepin. Charlemagne's new Carolingian dynasty supplanted the reigning Merovingians.
Charlemagne fought battles almost constantly throughout his life. He conquered Saxony and fought a number of battles with Muslim Spain, which lead to the Song of Roland legends.
Charlemagne was later considered to be one of the Nine Worthies.
On the other hand medieval legend recounted that the Moorish king Marsilus was brought before Charlemagne as a prisoner, and was offered baptism or death. He looked round.
"Who," he asked, "are the fat men, clad in furs, who sit at your table and feast?" Charles replied: "They are my bishops and abbots."
"And who are the thin men, clad in black and grey, who also receive your food?" "They," Charles aid, "are the mendicants and friars who pray for me."
|"And who," the pagan king asked, "are those beyond them, dressed in rags, squatting on the ground, who scrabble for the scraps that fall from your table?" "They are poor people," Charlemagne replied.
"If that is how you treat your poor, who are God's children, in dishonour of His love and charity, then kill me: I have no wish to be baptised into your faith."
