Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1906-02-22
william the Couqusrsr vs.. Charsmagps.


II. S. have agreed to furnish Us man
uscript OF their history reports tina
are read before the class every Frida
morning. The best paper from eac
week report is the one selected TO
publication. |
William and Chalemagne were Will
out doubt the most prominent figure
of the Middle Ages and we owe mucl
to them. Each became the ruler o
an important nation and each mad,
great conquests They were both
rather cruel compared with rulers o.
to-day, yet Judging them by tn,
standards of their times, there were
many worse rulers.
William was the son of Robert the
sixth Duke of Normandy. His father
went off on a crusade leaving William,
then only little boy, in charge of
the King of France. He received
careful military education here.
Robert was killed while on this cru
SADIE and though William was not yet
old enough to rule he went back to
Normandy and there won the admira
ton of all his people by his knowl-
edge of military affairs and his skill
in horsemanship.
Charlemagnc was the eldest so- If
Pepin LIE Brief, King of the Franks,
aud he became acquainted with all
the ceremonies of royalty in his boy
hood Though he received some in
tellectual training his education was
mostly physical. In 76l he accom-
panied his father on an expedition
against some forts in Aquitaine
Thus we see both William and
Charlcmagne received training in
their youth that fitted them well for
their future career in life and helped
them to become the great warriors
that they were.
As soon as William was old enough
he assumed all che powers aud duties
Of the ruler of Normandy. There
were many rebellions among hiS PEG :
pie but he was successful in putting
all Of them down lie also had much
trouble with the King of France but
was victorious here also lie married
Matilda, daughter of the Count Of
Flanders. She was a good and wise
woman and was Of much assistance to
her husband
Now let us see how Charlcmague
ruled. In 76s Pcpiu died and his
eldest son succeeded TO a large por
ton of the kingdom. \ younger
son, Carloman, disputed Char'emagnc'~
right to a part of tins, but war be
tween the brothers was prevented by
the death Of Carloman. Charlemagnc
was then proclaimed ruler over the
whole Kingdom Of the Frank, One
of his aims was 10 make conquest
of Saxony. Early i'm hi, reign there
fore he began the war which lasted
with many interruption, for more
than thirty years 1t was a wearl-
some task to conquer thi, enemy but
at last it was done and the SaXons
accepted Christianity and the just
rule of Charlcmagnc Another cam
paign which he undertook va, in
Spain. But while recro,.ing the
mountains the fierce natives fell upon
therear of the army and destroyed it
and killed the renowned Roland
After William had ruled Normandy
for some time Edward the Confc,sor,
the King of England. died and Har
old. the Earl of Goodwin, was crowned
king. William, however, was related
to Edward and had no idea of giving
up the kingdom 50 he invaded Eng
land with large army. Harold
gathered hi, army and after defeating
the Danes in the north he learned
that William had landed in England
50 he marched to oppose him.
The opposing force, met at Hast
iugs and after long and hard fought
battle the Normans were victorious.
Harold was killed and his army fled.
ur.ps A. L ,,,.,l ia,