the early middle ages p rimar y sour ce -...

Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.

16 The Early Middle Ages

Name Class Date

The End of Charlemagne’s Life

As you read consider the ways in which people 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, placing the diadem upon his son’s head, he bade him be proclaimed Emperor and Augustus. This step was hailed by all present with great favor, for it 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 his age and the forty-seventh of his reign.

Source: The Life of Charlemagne, by Einhard

ABOUT THE READING Einhard lived and worked in Charlemagne’s court beginning in 791 or 792. Einhard started writing his biography of the great king in 817, three years after Charlemagne’s death. In this reading we hear about the last days of Charlemagne.

VOCABULARYbade ordered

interred buried

lamentations expressions of grief

portended predicted

despised hated

A diadem is a crown

The title Augustus originated in the Roman Empire.

The Early Middle Ages Primary Source

Charlemagne was believed to have been born in 742. He died in 814.

5623_MSH_PrimSource_Ch17a.indd 165623_MSH_PrimSource_Ch17a.indd 16 6/28/05 3:33:41 PM6/28/05 3:33:41 PM



Name Class Date

The End of Charlemagne’s Life, continued Primary Source

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

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.

Moreover, one day in his last campaign into Saxony

against Godfred, king of the Danes, [Charlemagne]

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.

This is the day on which Christians celebrate Jesus’s return to heaven.

Saxony is a region in Germany that at that time included northern Germany and part of Britain. By conquering Saxony, Charlemagne greatly expanded his empire.




Name Class Date

The End of Charlemagne’s Life, continued Primary Source

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?




Name Class Date

Feudal Capitularies

As you read consider why rules concerning the

relationship between lord and vassal developed.

Capitulary Concerning Freemen and Vassals, 816This capitulary from the Frankish Empire outlines when a vassal is entitled to leave a lord.

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

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

vassal after he has commended his hands to him,

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

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.

VOCABULARYperpetrated carried out

Vassals were not to be treated as servants.

A lord was required to defend his vassal if he was able to.

The Early Middle Ages Primary Source

5623_MSH_PrimSource_Ch17b.indd 195623_MSH_PrimSource_Ch17b.indd 19 6/28/05 3:35:37 PM6/28/05 3:35:37 PM



Name Class Date

Feudal Capitularies, continued Primary Source

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, 847With this capitulary, the three grandsons of Charlemagne tried to force all freemen who had not already entered into a feudal relationship with a lord to do so.

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 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.

VOCABULARYwill command, declare

admonish gently warn

These men were pledging to treat their vassals well.




Name Class Date


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, 1020Fulbert, the bishop of Chartres, France, founded a school there that drew scholars from across Europe. He was regarded as one of the leading intellectuals of his day. William V, Duke of Aquitaine, had requested Fulbert’s thoughts on the nature of feudal obligations. Fulbert responded as follows.

To William most glorious duke of the Aquitanians,

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.

VOCABULARYfealty loyalty, faithfulness

practicable capable of being done

abstain hold back from

reciprocally mutually

perfidious treacherous, disloyal




Name Class Date


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 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?”

A benefice is land held by a vassal in return for services to his lord.




Name Class Date


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?


Answer Key



Biography Leif EricssonWHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. Ericsson named his landing site Vinland

(Wineland). 2. There were grapes where Ericsson landed.

His men made wine from the grapes so he named the place Vinland, which means Wineland.

3. Accept reasonable answers.

LiteratureCALL-OUT BOXES 1. silvery metal, gleaming 2. My people have said, the wisest, most

knowing and best of them, that my duty was to go to the Danes’

3. drove five giants into chains, hunted monsters out of the ocean

ANALYZING LITERATURE 1. epic poem: subject—brave warrior,

Beowulf; length—long and detailed; Japanese haiku: subject—nature, animals; length—very short, three lines.

2. It told exciting stories about heroes and their adventures.

Primary Source The End of Charlemagne’s LifeWHAT DID YOU LEARN? 1. The belief system of the Catholic

Church is contrasted with a belief in omens from pagan times. The selection includes references to Holy Communion, Charlemagne’s burial in a church, and God’s approval of Charlemagne’s choice of an heir. There are a variety of omens, including an eclipse, a ball of fire from the heavens, and a mysterious fire.

2. Astronomers would be interested in the account because it gives detailed information about astronomical phenomena that they could use in understanding the sky and the universe.Cultural anthropologists would be interested in it because of the details concerning the people’s superstitions.

Later biographers of Charlemagne would depend on this biography because it was written by someone who was present when the events occurred.

3. Students will answer in various ways, but they should recognize that while Charlemagne would have wanted to be seen as generous and appealing to the people, he may also have distrusted their superstitions and beliefs.

Primary Source Feudal CapitulariesWHAT DID YOU LEARN?Capitulary Concerning Freemen and Vassals, 816 1. The vassal could leave if he proved the

lord guilty of forcing the vassal to be a servant; threatening the vassal’s life; committing adultery with the vassal’s wife; attacking the vassal with a drawn sword; or failing to come to the vassal’s aid when the lord is able to do so.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?Capitulary of Mersen, 847 1. They must defend their lord’s kingdom

against invaders. 2. Answers will vary but should reflect an

understanding that fair treatment will inspire loyalty and ensure the vassals have no reason to be unfaithful to their lords.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?Fulbert of Chartres, Mutual Duties of Vassals and Lords, 1020 1. The lord must treat the vassal as well as

the vassal treats the lord. Examples from the text may include refraining from causing injury, from frustrating his efforts, from threatening his honor or security, and from injustice.

2. He means that to be deserving of his property, the vassal must not merely refrain from committing misdeeds, but also actively help his lord.

5623_MSH_Answer Key_Ch17.indd 365623_MSH_Answer Key_Ch17.indd 36 6/28/05 3:49:14 PM6/28/05 3:49:14 PM

Answer Key



MAKE A COMPARISON 1. Answer will vary, but students might note

the various aspects of the passages that seem to offer protection for vassals.

2. Answers will vary, but students might say that these rules helped bring order to society.

History and GeographyMAP ACTIVITY 1. Answers will vary, but should trace one or

more of the routes from Scandinavia into Europe.

2. Lines should trace from Asia into Germany, France, and Italy.

3. Lines should trace from Africa and the Middle East into Europe.

4. The island of Crete, southeast of Greece, should be marked with an X.

5. Check to make sure legend colors match the colors students used on the map.

ANALYZING MAPS 1. The Magyars traveled in a southwesterly

direction as they invaded Europe. 2. The Vikings came from the north. The

Muslims came from the south. 3. Answers will vary. Sample answer: I think

the Magyars did not use ships to invade Europe. They came from a region that was not near any large bodies of water. Also, they traveled by land and not water.

4. Answers will vary. Sample answer: I think the Vikings would have been less successfulin 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.

Social Studies SkillsPRACTICE AND APPLY THE SKILLStudents’ answers will vary, but should demonstrate that they recognize that the diagram is a floor plan for a small house or cottage. Their “special features” should reflect an understanding of the topic.

Chapter ReviewREVIEWING VOCABULARY, TERMS, AND PEOPLE 1. serfs 2. chivalry 3. feudalism 4. manor 5. Eurasia 6. topography 7. medieval 8. Charlemagne

COMPREHENSION AND CRITICAL THINKING 1. knights 2. William the Conqueror 3. haiku 4. Middle Ages

REVIEWING THEMES 1. A monastery is a community of religious

men who devote their lives to prayer, work, and meditation.

2. A missionary is a person who tries to convert others to his or her religion.

5623_MSH_Answer Key_Ch17.indd 375623_MSH_Answer Key_Ch17.indd 37 6/28/05 3:49:41 PM6/28/05 3:49:41 PM

the early middle ages p rimar y sour ce -...

Documents