Most of histories notable stories are characterized by some great conflict or crisis. The books “The Two Lives of Charlemagne” by Einhart/Notker, “The Black Death” by John Aberth and “The Return of Martin Guerre” by Natalie Zemon-Davis are all historical accounts with vastly disparate perspectives but which are unified by a broad theme of overcoming (or attempting to overcome) hardships or trials. Given the uniqueness of each trial the attempts made at resolving the issues of the times are equally unique. “The Two Lives of Charlemagne” paints two pictures of King Charles the first king of the Franks, and his lifetime of trial and conquest. King Charles didn’t have just one characterizing trial but a life of near constant conflict, whether
…show more content…
He subdued and reigned over his enemies all throughout modern day France and well into the neighboring lands that would become Spain, Italy and Germany. This titan of ancient times is often remembered only by his conquests, but the accounts of Einhart and Notker show him in much more depth and color, leaving the readers with a well fleshed out, multifaceted mental image of the man behind the conquest. To define Charlemagne by his trials helps present him in stark terms. He was a man of staunch faith who worked hard for its propagation. In contrast to his love of Christianity, Charles’ apparent self-adulation provides a new dimension showing a seeming contradiction of what was, at once, a godly man and a king driven by his love of self. In addition to his commitment to his church, Charles was a skilled statesman and visionary of his time who used his broad influence to strengthen his empire. As noted by Notker in reference to the unification of the Frankish people and the codifying of their laws, “… he caused the unwritten laws of all the tribes that came under his rule to be compiled and reduced to writing.” (1120). Despite his labors for unification of his lands and peoples, King Charles often found himself at odds with his lords and nobles, and
He subdued and reigned over his enemies all throughout modern day France and well into the neighboring lands that would become Spain, Italy and Germany. This titan of ancient times is often remembered only by his conquests, but the accounts of Einhart and Notker show him in much more depth and color, leaving the readers with a well fleshed out, multifaceted mental image of the man behind the conquest. To define Charlemagne by his trials helps present him in stark terms. He was a man of staunch faith who worked hard for its propagation. In contrast to his love of Christianity, Charles’ apparent self-adulation provides a new dimension showing a seeming contradiction of what was, at once, a godly man and a king driven by his love of self. In addition to his commitment to his church, Charles was a skilled statesman and visionary of his time who used his broad influence to strengthen his empire. As noted by Notker in reference to the unification of the Frankish people and the codifying of their laws, “… he caused the unwritten laws of all the tribes that came under his rule to be compiled and reduced to writing.” (1120). Despite his labors for unification of his lands and peoples, King Charles often found himself at odds with his lords and nobles, and