Name
Class
Date
Primary Source
The Early Middle Ages
The End of Charlemagne’s Life
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.
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.
VOCABULARY
bade ordered
interred buried
lamentations expressions
of grief
portended predicted
despised hated
A diadem is a crown
The title Augustus originated in
the Roman Empire.
Charlemagne was believed to
have been born in 742. He
died in 814.
Source: The Life of Charlemagne, by Einhard
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Name
Class
The End of Charlemagne’s Life, continued
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.
Date
Primary Source
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.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
17
The Early Middle Ages
Name
Class
The End of Charlemagne’s Life, continued
Date
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?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
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Name
Class
Date
Primary Source
The Early Middle Ages
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
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,
VOCABULARY
perpetrated carried out
Vassals were not to be treated as
servants.
A lord was required to defend his
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.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
19
The Early Middle Ages
Name
Class
Feudal Capitularies, continued
Date
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, 847
With 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.
VOCABULARY
will command, declare
admonish gently warn
These men were pledging to treat
their vassals well.
Source: Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of
European History Vol. 4, E. P. Cheyney (trans.), University of
Pennsylvania Press, 1898.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
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Name
Class
Date
Primary Source
Feudal Capitularies, continued
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
Fulbert, 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
VOCABULARY
fealty loyalty, faithfulness
practicable capable of
being done
abstain hold back from
reciprocally mutually
perfidious treacherous,
disloyal
Source: Translations and Reprints from the Original Sources of
European History Vol. 4, E. P. Cheyney (trans.), University of
Pennsylvania Press, 1898.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
21
The Early Middle Ages
Name
Class
Feudal Capitularies, continued
Date
Primary Source
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.
A benefice is land held by a vassal
in return for services to his lord.
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?”
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
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Name
Class
Date
Primary Source
Feudal Capitularies, continued
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?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
23
The Early Middle Ages
Answer Key
Biography Leif Ericsson
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.
WHAT 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.
Literature
Primary Source
Feudal Capitularies
CALL-OUT BOXES
1. silvery metal, gleaming
2. My people have said, the wisest, most
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Capitulary Concerning Freemen and
Vassals, 816
1. The vassal could leave if he proved the
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
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.
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.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Capitulary of Mersen, 847
1. They must defend their lord’s kingdom
against invaders.
Primary Source The End
of Charlemagne’s Life
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?
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.
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.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
36
The Early Middle Ages
Answer Key
Social Studies Skills
MAKE A COMPARISON
1. Answer will vary, but students might note
PRACTICE AND APPLY THE SKILL
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.
Students’ 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.
History and Geography
Chapter Review
MAP ACTIVITY
REVIEWING VOCABULARY, TERMS,
AND PEOPLE
1. Answers will vary, but should trace one or
2.
3.
4.
5.
more of the routes from Scandinavia into
Europe.
Lines should trace from Asia into
Germany, France, and Italy.
Lines should trace from Africa and the
Middle East into Europe.
The island of Crete, southeast of Greece,
should be marked with an X.
Check to make sure legend colors match
the colors students used on the map.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
serfs
chivalry
feudalism
manor
Eurasia
topography
medieval
Charlemagne
COMPREHENSION AND
CRITICAL THINKING
ANALYZING MAPS
1.
2.
3.
4.
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
knights
William the Conqueror
haiku
Middle Ages
REVIEWING THEMES
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 successful
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.
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.
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