Charlemagne

Despite a love of learning, was Charlamagn illiterate?

hey if you want to fight that idea, there are plenty islamic followers in EU.

His mother, wife and daughter died in 783
He buried sweet Queen Hildegard with honor great to see
Hildegard was 26 when she was laid to rest
And six of their nine children lived and helped to rule the West

Now Roland was the bravest knight to serve in all the land
He fought the kingdom's enemies with lance and sword in hand
He lost his life in ambush while at Roncevaux in Spain
All the bravest liegemen there were lost by Charlemagne

Troubled, then, was Charlemagne, but wisdom did he gain
The battle fought at Roncevaux had not been
lost in vain
The Song of Roland testifies to Charles' bravery
Onward he pursued an end to pagan slavery

Behold, the mighty Emperor, with wisdom did he reign
The bastard son of Arnulf stock was known as Charlemagne
A humble king was Charlemagne, he knew when he did err
Accepting blame when it was due, as seldom as it were

He hungered after knowledge deep, and sought to share it too
He ruled the West with gentle might, as others could not do
To win men from their ways of old was Charlemagne's desire
And victory without combat he'd frequently acquire

"The Emperor achieved a feat 'twas said could not be done; he built a bridge across the Rhine where swiftest waters run. When failure looked him in the eye, he often did succeed; he sought to honor God and man with every daring deed."
copyright 1989 by Tenderstone Publishing
all rights reserved

"In the valley of Aquis Granum, in but a single day, inspired by their noble king,
his men did fast away erect a great catherdral there in tribute to the Lord,
taking up the hammer as they lay aside the sword."
copyright 1989 by Tenderstone Publishing
all rights reserved

I am reminded of the tale of Robert the Bruce, to Scot who had an epiphany while watching a spider descend from the ceiling too!!

It's wonderful to see the actual place where Charlemagne once entered, just fabulous!

Note: Charlemagne's first descendants in North America in my line were Walloons, and our grandmother 14 gens. back was the first European woman to ever enter what is now New York State (where I was born).