Question: The region, as part of Lorraine, was part of the Holy Roman Empire, and then was gradually annexed by France in the 17th century, and formalized as one of the provinces of France. The Calvinist manufacturing republic of Mulhouse, known as Stadtrepublik Mulhausen, became a part of Alsace after a vote by its citizens on 4 January 1798. Alsace is frequently mentioned with and as part of Lorraine and the former duchy of Lorraine, since it was a vital part of the duchy, and later because German possession as the imperial province (Alsace-Lorraine, 18711918) was contested in the 19th and 20th centuries; France and Germany exchanged control of parts of Lorraine (including Alsace) four times in 75 years.

With the decline of the Roman Empire, Alsace became the territory of the Germanic Alemanni. The Alemanni were agricultural people, and their Germanic language formed the basis of modern-day dialects spoken along the Upper Rhine (Alsatian, Alemannian, Swabian, Swiss). Clovis and the Franks defeated the Alemanni during the 5th century AD, culminating with the Battle of Tolbiac, and Alsace became part of the Kingdom of Austrasia. Under Clovis' Merovingian successors the inhabitants were Christianized. Alsace remained under Frankish control until the Frankish realm, following the Oaths of Strasbourg of 842, was formally dissolved in 843 at the Treaty of Verdun; the grandsons of Charlemagne divided the realm into three parts. Alsace formed part of the Middle Francia, which was ruled by the youngest grandson Lothar I. Lothar died early in 855 and his realm was divided into three parts. The part known as Lotharingia, or Lorraine, was given to Lothar's son. The rest was shared between Lothar's brothers Charles the Bald (ruler of the West Frankish realm) and Louis the German (ruler of the East Frankish realm). The Kingdom of Lotharingia was short-lived, however, becoming the stem duchy of Lorraine in Eastern Francia after the Treaty of Ribemont in 880. Alsace was united with the other Alemanni east of the Rhine into the stem duchy of Swabia. 1. What did the Alemannian's language help create?
2. What part of Lothar's realm was given to his son?
3. Why didn't his kingdom last long? Provide a numbered list of answers.
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A numbered of answers: 1. modern-day dialects
2. Lotharingia
3. unknown

Question: CHAPTER XV

SOMETHING OF A MYSTERY

"Dan Baxter!"

The cry came simultaneously from several of the crowd.

"I think Dick is right," said Songbird. "I thought it must be Dan, but I wasn't sure, for I didn't expect to see him here."

"He and that Sack Todd must have become friends," put in Tom. "I would like to know what Dan is doing out here."

"He is certainly up to no good," answered Dick. "I must say this adds to the mystery, doesn't it, boys?"

"That's what it does," chimed in Sam. "I wish we could catch Baxter and bring him to justice."

"Or reform him," came from Dick.

"Reform him, Dick!" cried Tom. "That would be mighty uphill work."

"It isn't in him," added Fred. "He is tee-totally bad."

"I used to think that of Dan's father, but Arnold Baxter has reformed--and he wants his son to do likewise."

"Well, that isn't here or there," said Tom after a pause. "What are we to do just now?"

"Let us push on to town first," answered Songbird. "After that, we can rearrange our plans if we wish."

This was considered good advice, and once again they urged their steeds along. Coming to a high point in the trail, they made out Caville a mile distant, and rode into the town about noon.

It was not much of a place, and the single hotel afforded only the slimmest of accommodations. But they had to be satisfied, and so made the best of it. 1. Who was everyone surprised to see?
2. Who was first to recognize him?
3. Is everyone happy to see him?
4. What do they think he is doing there?
5. Who do they suspect is buddies with him?
6. Do they know what Dan's purpose there is?
7. Was Songbird sure that it was Dan when he first saw him?
8. What does Dick want to do with Dan?
9. What does Sam want to do?
10. Who does Tom agree with?
11. What about Fred?
12. Why does Fred think he can't be reformed?
13. Who is Arnold?
14. Was he bad person at one point?
15. Has he given up on Dan? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers: 1. Dan Baxter
2. Dick
3. No
4. up to no good
5. Sack Todd
6. no
7. wasn't sure
8. reform him
9. bring him to justice."
10. Sam
11. Sam
12. He is tee-totally bad
13. Dan's father,
14. Yes he has reformed
15. he wants his son to do likewise."

Question: (EW.com) -- Since everything about Les Miserables is fortissimo including but not limited to its unabashed pursuit of awards that are shiny or globular or both you have perhaps already heard a little about the movie now storming the Bastille of your wallet.

You may already know that to make his movie adaptation of the internationally popular theatrical musical conjured from the 19th-century political novel by Victor Hugo, director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech) bade his actors sing live during filming. You probably already know that Anne Hathaway, as the wretched single mother-turned-prostitute Fantine, is reputedly a formidable Oscar favorite for her sobbing and warbling and haircutting-in-real-time. You've learned, from posters and trailers, that Hugh Jackman, as former convict Jean Valjean, looks impressively stricken and that Russell Crowe, as implacable police inspector Javert, looks disconcertingly dyspeptic.

What's left to learn is this: Les Miserables provides compelling reasons for Crowe to be peeved, beginning with the humiliation of having to sing Broadway-style, when it clearly is so not his thing, and ending with the Cap'n Crunch wardrobe into which the gentleman is packed. (O, for Crowe's costumed glory days in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World!) Jackman has a right to be cranky too, although he's too much of a trouper to show it as he overemotes on demand and sings of finding God after he steals a pair of candlesticks from a nice priest. (Long story.) Hathaway looks happy enough channeling Liza Minnelli for her tremulous rendition of the Susan Boyle-appropriated anthem ''I Dreamed a Dream,'' but that's no doubt because she knows that soon after the song, she's pretty much done for the night. 1. Who wrote the original political novel which Les Mis is based off of?
2. Who is directing the movie?
3. What else did he direct?
4. What did he ask of his actors?
5. Who plays Fantine?
6. What song does she perform?
7. Which award is she a favorite for?
8. Who plays a convict?
9. Is the author of the article impressed with his looks?
10. Which other actor was the author not so impressed with?
11. Which part did he play?
12. What does the author say is "not his thing"?
13. in which style?
14. How did the author describe his costume?
15. In which movie did she prefer his wardrobe?
16. Is the movie expected to win several awards?
17. Who does the author say Anne Hathaway is channeling?
18. Does her character have a major part afterwards?
19. On what website was this article published?
20. Which character cuts hair on stage? Provide a numbered list of answers.
****
A numbered of answers:
1. Victor Hugo
2. Tom Hooper
3. The King's Speech
4. to sing live
5. Anne Hathaway
6. I Dreamed a Dream
7. an Oscar
8. Hugh Jackman
9. yes
10. Russell Crowe
11. police inspector Javert
12. having to sing
13. Broadway-style
14. Like Cap'n Crunch
15. in Master and Commander
16. yes
17. Liza Minnelli
18. she's pretty much done for the night.
19. EW.com
20. Fantine