Charlemagne
Charlemagne was a courageous warrior and a wise leader of the Medieval times. He was born with royal blood from the brave leaders before him. Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, was a well known figure of the Middle Ages. His father, Pepin the Short, was the Frankish King before passed down the royalty to his sons, Charlemagne and his brother Carloman inherited the throne. When Carloman died, Charlemagne became the Monarch of the Franks
Charlemagne spread Christianity throughout the lands which his army had conquered. He set up missionaries in the defeated territory and convinced many people to convert to his religion. Charlemagne ruled the Franks for 46 years. The pope recognized Charlemagne's actions for the Catholic Church. So on Christmas day in the year 800 A.D. when Charlemagne was praying in Saint Peter’s Church, Pope Leo III placed a crown on Charlemagne’s head and declared him the Holy Roman Emperor.
While Europe was in a stage called the Dark Ages, their cultural development, art, and education began to disappear. However, Charlemagne’s crowning lifted the Empire from destruction. Charlemagne ruled by divine right, or the power given by God. He was a very political man and helped to restore many government orders. When Charlemagne was growing up, kids did not go to school to learn and many could not write. But Charlemagne learned to read as a child and received a decent education.
Before Charlemagne’s rule, the Roman Empire had lost it’s government organization and had no written laws. As king, Charlemagne united a central Roman government and constructed an organized system of laws. Because Charlemagne was dedicated to his job, he was able to save Western Europe from falling during his rule. Charlemagne remained the emperor of Rome for fourteen years until he passed away.
Charlemagne made many great contributions to Medieval history, many of which today, would be considered “light”. He was a brave leader and true to his Catholic beliefs, yet he conquered many innocent people. Charlemagne made a great contribution to the power of the Catholic church, which was both a dark and light aspect of the Middle Ages. In conclusion, Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor helped to organize Europe and increase Catholicism in Medieval Times.
-Linnea S.
Charlemagne spread Christianity throughout the lands which his army had conquered. He set up missionaries in the defeated territory and convinced many people to convert to his religion. Charlemagne ruled the Franks for 46 years. The pope recognized Charlemagne's actions for the Catholic Church. So on Christmas day in the year 800 A.D. when Charlemagne was praying in Saint Peter’s Church, Pope Leo III placed a crown on Charlemagne’s head and declared him the Holy Roman Emperor.
While Europe was in a stage called the Dark Ages, their cultural development, art, and education began to disappear. However, Charlemagne’s crowning lifted the Empire from destruction. Charlemagne ruled by divine right, or the power given by God. He was a very political man and helped to restore many government orders. When Charlemagne was growing up, kids did not go to school to learn and many could not write. But Charlemagne learned to read as a child and received a decent education.
Before Charlemagne’s rule, the Roman Empire had lost it’s government organization and had no written laws. As king, Charlemagne united a central Roman government and constructed an organized system of laws. Because Charlemagne was dedicated to his job, he was able to save Western Europe from falling during his rule. Charlemagne remained the emperor of Rome for fourteen years until he passed away.
Charlemagne made many great contributions to Medieval history, many of which today, would be considered “light”. He was a brave leader and true to his Catholic beliefs, yet he conquered many innocent people. Charlemagne made a great contribution to the power of the Catholic church, which was both a dark and light aspect of the Middle Ages. In conclusion, Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor helped to organize Europe and increase Catholicism in Medieval Times.
-Linnea S.
Pope Urban II
Pope Urban II was born in 1035 in a town in northern France with the birth name of Ortho. Raised through a noble family with schooling from a center associated with the Reim church, Ortho was set up for a desirable life. Ortho became the archdeacon of the church. Gaining support from friends and family, he moved to the Abbey of Cluny in 1067, and later became the second in command of the church in 1074. Ortho continued to gain support from his followers and became the cardinal of Ostia in Rome. In 1084 and 1085 he also served as a papal legate for Pope Gregory II, helping defend him against the Holy Roman Church. Soon Gregory died and after Victor III’s short reign, Ortho became the pope and changed his name to Urban II. Although, at the time Urban became pope he was in exile and unable to enter Rome, he soon, with support from his followers, was able to go back to Rome in 1094. In 1095, the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus requested military support from Urban to help him defend against the Turks. Instead, Pope Urban decided to start the first crusade, and gave a huge speech to the French to rage war against the Turks. Urban continued to support this battle until his death in 1099.
In the 11th century Pope Urban II made huge changes within society of medieval Europe.
During Pope Urban’s papacy there was a sense of light and dark with in his acts. He had indeed began the Crusades which was a very dark time for medieval Europe. Many people died on both the Turks’ and French’s sides. People began to believe that fighting and killing the Turks was what God wanted them to do. Although, there was a lighter aspect to the mass destruction that occurred. From Urban’s choices, Europe advanced greatly in medicine and technology. After all of the depression of the Crusades, a lighter time was emerging where people could learn to be healthier and enjoy life.
Overall, Pope Urban II’s actions helped medieval Europe advance greatly and improve life in medieval times. Medieval Europe learned new medicinal techniques from the Turks greatly improving healthcare. The Europeans learned about hospitals, new cures for diseases, and new medical treatments for eye problems. Astounding technological achievements were made which improved society greatly. These included learning how to use water to help power machines and create new siege machines. Even though Pope Urban II’s intentions through the crusades were crude, illogical, and malevolent, in the end it helped to greatly advance Medieval Europe.
-Ryan d.
In the 11th century Pope Urban II made huge changes within society of medieval Europe.
During Pope Urban’s papacy there was a sense of light and dark with in his acts. He had indeed began the Crusades which was a very dark time for medieval Europe. Many people died on both the Turks’ and French’s sides. People began to believe that fighting and killing the Turks was what God wanted them to do. Although, there was a lighter aspect to the mass destruction that occurred. From Urban’s choices, Europe advanced greatly in medicine and technology. After all of the depression of the Crusades, a lighter time was emerging where people could learn to be healthier and enjoy life.
Overall, Pope Urban II’s actions helped medieval Europe advance greatly and improve life in medieval times. Medieval Europe learned new medicinal techniques from the Turks greatly improving healthcare. The Europeans learned about hospitals, new cures for diseases, and new medical treatments for eye problems. Astounding technological achievements were made which improved society greatly. These included learning how to use water to help power machines and create new siege machines. Even though Pope Urban II’s intentions through the crusades were crude, illogical, and malevolent, in the end it helped to greatly advance Medieval Europe.
-Ryan d.
Saladin
Saladin's Early Life
Saladin al-Din Yusuf (meaning: righteousness of the faith) was born into a Kurdish family in the year of 1137. As he grew up, he served in an army under the Syrian ruler known as Nur al-Din. After gaining a better position in the military, he lead the army to victory over the Fatimid rulers of Egypt. Afterwards, Saladin became the Sultan of Egypt. Although many didn't expect him to last long due to government changes and weak caliphs, Saladin maintained a strong position.
Saladin the Deceitful Muslim
Over time, Saladin turned Egypt into a Vassal state of his own family which was against the hopes of Nur al-Din. (Saladin’s old leader) Because of this, Saladin and Nur al-Din planned a war against each other when suddenly Nur al-Din died. After Saladin “won”, his ally spread rumors about him saying that he disobeyed Islamic rules which contributed to his reputation as a bad Muslim. During the Crusades, while Saladin fought to regain position over Jerusalem, the Christians were willing to make a compromise, they would surrender to Saladin if they could kill 5000 Muslims living in the holy city and destroy all Islamic monuments. Although at first he refused he eventually gave in and agreed which made Saladin's appearance go from bad to evil.
Saladin the Great Leader
Although Saladin was a fierce warrior in battle he was widely known as a natural leader. During the Crusades Saladin lost to Richard I. The army of Crusaders killed all of the Muslim inhabitants living in Jerusalem and boasted that in certain areas of the city blood went up to their knees. After re-conquering Jerusalem from Richard I, Saladin refused to have any Crusaders killed because it was a Holy City even though the Crusaders had killed his people, he refused to kill the Crusaders after what they had done wrong. Also, even though Richard I was Saladin’s enemy, when Richard lost his horse and was sick, Saladin sent him fruit, frozen ice, and and two horses.
Conclusion
Overall, Saladin was a good leader, his bad appearance mostly comes from the fact that most people in the world are Christians and Saladin opposed them. Thus, usually people depict Saladin as a bad person. However, after research, I found out that Saladin was infact a natural leader full of graciousness and forgiveness.
-Daniel H.
Saladin al-Din Yusuf (meaning: righteousness of the faith) was born into a Kurdish family in the year of 1137. As he grew up, he served in an army under the Syrian ruler known as Nur al-Din. After gaining a better position in the military, he lead the army to victory over the Fatimid rulers of Egypt. Afterwards, Saladin became the Sultan of Egypt. Although many didn't expect him to last long due to government changes and weak caliphs, Saladin maintained a strong position.
Saladin the Deceitful Muslim
Over time, Saladin turned Egypt into a Vassal state of his own family which was against the hopes of Nur al-Din. (Saladin’s old leader) Because of this, Saladin and Nur al-Din planned a war against each other when suddenly Nur al-Din died. After Saladin “won”, his ally spread rumors about him saying that he disobeyed Islamic rules which contributed to his reputation as a bad Muslim. During the Crusades, while Saladin fought to regain position over Jerusalem, the Christians were willing to make a compromise, they would surrender to Saladin if they could kill 5000 Muslims living in the holy city and destroy all Islamic monuments. Although at first he refused he eventually gave in and agreed which made Saladin's appearance go from bad to evil.
Saladin the Great Leader
Although Saladin was a fierce warrior in battle he was widely known as a natural leader. During the Crusades Saladin lost to Richard I. The army of Crusaders killed all of the Muslim inhabitants living in Jerusalem and boasted that in certain areas of the city blood went up to their knees. After re-conquering Jerusalem from Richard I, Saladin refused to have any Crusaders killed because it was a Holy City even though the Crusaders had killed his people, he refused to kill the Crusaders after what they had done wrong. Also, even though Richard I was Saladin’s enemy, when Richard lost his horse and was sick, Saladin sent him fruit, frozen ice, and and two horses.
Conclusion
Overall, Saladin was a good leader, his bad appearance mostly comes from the fact that most people in the world are Christians and Saladin opposed them. Thus, usually people depict Saladin as a bad person. However, after research, I found out that Saladin was infact a natural leader full of graciousness and forgiveness.
-Daniel H.
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412 in Domremy, Bar, France. She was born into the peasant class and had very religious parents. By age 12 you could tell that Joan of Arc was a very courageous girl.
When Joan was in her teenage years a large war began to rise. It was a dispute between the dauphin, Charles, and King Henry VI. Joan’s village was caught in the middle of the conflict and many people were forced to leave their homes.
In May 1428 Joan was led by the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret to go to Vaucouleurs where she asked for permission to join the dauphin and his cause. Joan was rejected and not allowed to fight in the war, so she returned home. A year later she made the same request despite woman not being thought of as warriors, but this time she was accepted into their army.
That year Joan fought along the side of several military men, including her brothers.
Joan wanted to go into battle representing Christ so the banner she would carry would hold the name of Jesus and her sword would be found in the church.
Joan led the French army into battle on May 4. They were very successful and managed to capture many soldiers. Joan and the other soldiers continued to be victorious until July 17, when Charles was finally crowned king. Joan convinced the king to attack Paris, but in battle Joan was shot in the leg with an arrow but continued to fight. Later the amazing, fearless Joan of Arc passed away because of her severe wounds.
Today we remember Joan of Arc as a strong, courageous, female warrior. With her help she led King Charles to victory and made a large impact on history and was an aspect that made the Dark Ages lighter.
-Chyna R.
When Joan was in her teenage years a large war began to rise. It was a dispute between the dauphin, Charles, and King Henry VI. Joan’s village was caught in the middle of the conflict and many people were forced to leave their homes.
In May 1428 Joan was led by the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret to go to Vaucouleurs where she asked for permission to join the dauphin and his cause. Joan was rejected and not allowed to fight in the war, so she returned home. A year later she made the same request despite woman not being thought of as warriors, but this time she was accepted into their army.
That year Joan fought along the side of several military men, including her brothers.
Joan wanted to go into battle representing Christ so the banner she would carry would hold the name of Jesus and her sword would be found in the church.
Joan led the French army into battle on May 4. They were very successful and managed to capture many soldiers. Joan and the other soldiers continued to be victorious until July 17, when Charles was finally crowned king. Joan convinced the king to attack Paris, but in battle Joan was shot in the leg with an arrow but continued to fight. Later the amazing, fearless Joan of Arc passed away because of her severe wounds.
Today we remember Joan of Arc as a strong, courageous, female warrior. With her help she led King Charles to victory and made a large impact on history and was an aspect that made the Dark Ages lighter.
-Chyna R.