21
About this period Clovis[9] made his appearance among the Franks. He was brave to the extreme of hardihood and at the same time thoroughly2 unprincipled. He ruled over one family[10] of Franks, relatives of his being chiefs of the others. The family ancestor of the Franks was Merov?us, from whom the Merovingians derived3 their name.
Notwithstanding their relationship, the Frank chiefs were in continual strife5 with each other, but Clovis at last secured a kind of sovereignty over all the families and forced his relations to furnish him with warriors6. As soon as this was accomplished7, he set about making his power absolute and suppressing their mutual8 quarrels, as he was determined9 they should assist him in further invasions of Gaul. The only remnant of Roman power left in Gaul (that part of it lying between the Seine and the Loire) still maintained its political independence. It was against this region, which was under the rule of the Roman patrician10 Syagrius, that Clovis next directed his operations. He provoked him to war, defeated him, and forced the West Goth King, Alaric the Second (who was ultimately slain11 in battle by Clovis), with whom Syagrius sought shelter, to give him up. He then strangled him in prison.
22
Clovis next made war against the Burgundians, who, as has been said, occupied the southeastern part of Gaul and were ruled at that time by two brothers, Gundobald and Godegisel. Both fell victims to his cruelty. One of the dead brothers left a daughter Clotilde, for whose hand Clovis appealed to her uncle, the Burgundian chief. The uncle did not dare refuse Clovis’s request, and Clotilde, the Christian12, became his wife. She immediately set about the task of converting him, but did not succeed at that time. His purpose was to secure her inheritance, not her religious faith.
Before concluding final arrangements with the Burgundians another problem presented itself for settlement. The Alemanni were threatening Siegbert, one of his relations. This gave him a sufficient pretext13 for drawing his sword against them. A decisive battle was fought at Toul.[11] It was a bloody14 encounter, and victory at first appeared to favor the Alemanni. Thereupon, thinking of Clotilde’s appeals to him, he invoked15 the Christians’ God before his whole army and promised to become a Christian if he won the victory. Thereupon he massed his forces and hurled16 them upon the enemy with such fierceness that the onset17 was irresistible18. The Alemanni were decimated, and Clovis occupied the entire region between the Neckar and Lahn and forced it to supply warriors to make good his losses. In the same year he and three thousand of his followers19 were baptized at Rheims.
23
The German chiefs who had embraced Christianity at an earlier period had given their adhesion to the Arian confession20, but Clovis gave his to the Catholic. There was great rejoicing in Rome, and the Pope conferred upon him the title of “All Christian King,” which title also descended21 to his Frankish successors. Later the clergy22 spread the report abroad that a miracle took place at the time of Clovis’s baptism. It was said that there was no consecrated23 oil at hand. As the bishop24 stood helpless at the altar a white dove suddenly flew down with a flask25 of oil in its beak26, a sign that his name had been inscribed27 in heaven and that his conversion28 had given delight to God and the angels. To satisfy the sceptical, the wonderful flask was preserved in the Cathedral of Rheims, and the precious contents were not diminished, though it was used whenever the rite29 was repeated. In fact the flask was used at every coronation down to the close of the last century. The story of its origin spread and is believed by some even to this day. Neither baptism, nor anointing, nor papal titles, however, could change the deceitful, truculent30, bloodthirsty nature of Clovis. He next turned against his wife’s Burgundian relatives, who were subjugated31 and compelled to pay tribute to him.
24
Clovis was now master of Gaul even to the southern part of it, which had belonged to the West Goths who a century earlier, under the leadership of Ataulf, had taken possession of the country north and south of the Pyrenees (southern Gaul and northern Spain). As there was no political pretext for making war upon the West Goths he found a religious one. The “All Christian” King Clovis assembled the bishops32 and secular33 leaders and thus addressed them:
“Shall the West Goth heretics occupy that beautiful country and persecute34 our Catholic brethren? Arise in the name of our faith and conquer them!”
Clovis had now openly declared his adherence35 to the Catholic faith, and there was fresh rejoicing in Rome when it was known that he had undertaken a crusade against the West Goths. He was victorious36 in a battle with Alaric the Second, whom he slew37 with his own hand, but was prevented by Theodoric the Great,[12] father-in-law of Alaric, from subjugating38 the entire West-Gothic kingdom. He had to be content with the sovereignty of the region between the Loire and the Garonne (Provence) as part of the Frankish Empire.
25
Clovis’s career was continually marked by injustice39, cruelty, and bloodshed. One outrage40 rapidly followed another. He next sought to add the possessions of his Frankish relatives to his kingdom. Siegbert, with whom he had fought against the Alemanni, was a cripple because of a wound received in the battle of Toul. Clovis sent word to his son that his father had lived too long, and that if he were out of the way they might be friends. The dissolute son had his father murdered, and sent this message to Clovis: “My father is no longer living. Send messengers to me, and they shall take whatever you need from my treasures.” Clovis sent his messengers, but upon another errand. The young prince led them to the treasure chamber41 and they assassinated42 him there.
26
Clovis next assumed the role of avenger43 of Frankish chiefs killed by Siegbert. He summoned the heads of the Frankish families and brought such inducements to bear that they voluntarily acknowledged his authority and accepted his sovereignty. He secretly inspired an uprising against one relative, who had proved too obstinate44; and when he was brought before him by his own people in chains, Clovis exclaimed: “What! are you not ashamed to appear before me in chains and to disgrace our princely race?” With these words he cut off his head with a battle-axe. He also killed his victim’s brother because he dared to protest. Sooner or later all his relatives who wavered in allegiance suffered from his wrath45. Then he began to grow anxious lest some one of the family might have been spared. He hypocritically lamented46 that he had not a relative he could trust. He instituted a search, but all inquiries47 were useless. He was in undisputed possession of a kingdom which extended from the mouth of the Rhine to Switzerland on the south, to the Atlantic ocean on the west, and almost to the Pyrenees on the southwest. He thought himself secure against all enemies, but in his forty-fourth year death overtook him.
Four sons inherited his kingdom, but there was no peace among them or any of their descendants during the next two centuries. Treachery, assassination48, and poison were the agencies employed by the male members of the princely house to gain their end. Petty jealousy49, envy, and revenge drove their wives to crimes of the worst description. Simplicity50 of customs disappeared from court life. Roman civilization accomplished its fatal work. The once princely Merovingian race was degenerated51 by physical and spiritual weakness.
CHARLEMAGNE
CHARLES MARTEL
PEPIN THE SHORT
CLOVIS
27
The result of all this was a change in governmental relations. Before the close of the sixth century the weak Merovingians relinquished52 the responsibilities of rule to the mayor of the palace.[13] Among those who filled the position, Pepin of Landen, the founder53 of the Pepin family afterwards known as Carolingians or Carlovingians, was conspicuous54. That the Frankish kingdom, which included also Burgundy and Thuringia, escaped dissolution was entirely55 due to this powerful Pepin family. Subsequently Pepin of Heristal, a member of the same family, rose to the honor of leadership. After many distinguished56 achievements, his son Charles, who was called Charles Martel, or “the Hammer,” because of his victory over the Moors57 in 732, succeeded him. The Frankish kingdom, as well as the German Christian world, was saved by him from a great disaster at the hands of the Moors, who twenty-one years later (711) overthrew58 the power of the West Goths in Spain and established themselves there.
28
Another Pepin, called “the Short,” by reason of his low stature59, succeeded Charles Martel. The enemies of the country—the Saxons particularly—felt the weight of his power. An enmity of long standing4 existed between the Saxons and the Franks, and they had often met in fierce encounters. It is hard to say which side was to blame, but it is certain that the Saxons, especially after the Franks had been Christianized, often invaded the country of the latter, and that the war which Pepin waged against them was to that extent a just one. He at last subdued them and forced them to pay tribute. It was in Pepin’s time also that the form of government was restored to the old royal system; and while he accomplished this he also insisted that the influence of the clergy should not be impaired60. First of all he sought to secure the favor of the bishops of the country, and succeeded so well that two of them agreed to settle matters with the Pope. Everything seemed to favor his plans. The Pope was hard pressed by the brave Lombardian King Haistulf and in sore need of help. After consultation61 with the bishops Pepin compelled Haistulf to give up his possessions to the Pope, and the Pope recognized the Franks as defenders62 of the Church.[14]
29
Pepin the Short, like his predecessors63, Charles Martel, Pepin of Heristal, and Pepin of Landen, achieved great results for the Frankish kingdom. For some years he carried on war with Aquitania and eventually added that country to his dominions64. When the Saxons hesitated about paying the tribute which his father had exacted from them, he drew his sword and compelled them to keep their agreement. When he realized that his death was fast approaching, he divided his kingdom between his sons, Charles[15] and Carloman. Charles, the elder, inherited Aquitania, Austrasia,[16] Thuringia, Bavaria, Mainz, and Worms; Carloman inherited Burgundy, Alsace, Provence, and Alemannia. Neustria[17] was divided equally between them.
Pepin died in 768.
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1
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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2
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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5
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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6
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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7
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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8
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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9
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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10
patrician
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| adj.贵族的，显贵的；n.贵族；有教养的人；罗马帝国的地方官 | |
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11
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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12
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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13
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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14
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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15
invoked
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| v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
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16
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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17
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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18
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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19
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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20
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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21
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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22
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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23
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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24
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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25
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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26
beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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27
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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28
conversion
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| n.转化，转换，转变 | |
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29
rite
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| n.典礼，惯例，习俗 | |
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30
truculent
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| adj.野蛮的，粗野的 | |
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31
subjugated
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| v.征服，降伏( subjugate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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33
secular
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| n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的 | |
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34
persecute
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| vt.迫害，虐待；纠缠，骚扰 | |
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35
adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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36
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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37
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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38
subjugating
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| v.征服，降伏( subjugate的现在分词 ) | |
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39
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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40
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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41
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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42
assassinated
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| v.暗杀( assassinate的过去式和过去分词 )；中伤；诋毁；破坏 | |
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43
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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44
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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45
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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46
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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48
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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49
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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50
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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51
degenerated
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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53
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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54
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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55
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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56
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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57
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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58
overthrew
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| overthrow的过去式 | |
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59
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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60
impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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62
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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63
predecessors
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| n.前任( predecessor的名词复数 )；前辈；（被取代的）原有事物；前身 | |
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64
dominions
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| 统治权( dominion的名词复数 )； 领土； 疆土； 版图 | |
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