Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/450

 380 Outlines of European History and called distinguished men from Italy and elsewhere as teachers. The best known of these was the historian Paulus Diaconus, who wrote a history of the Lombards, to which we owe most of what we know about them. Charlemagne Charlemagne appears to have been particularly impressed interested in with the constant danger of mistakes in copying books, a task religious frequently turned over to ignorant and careless persons. He thought it very important that the religious books should be carefully copied. It should be noted that he made no attempt to revive the learning of Greece and Rome. He deemed it quite sufficient if the churchmen would learn their Latin well enough to read the church services and the Bible intelligently. Discourage- The hopeful beginning that was made under Charlemagne cation after " "^ the revival of education was destined to prove disappointing Charle- jj^ j|-g immediate results. It is true that the ninth century magne's time ^ produced a few noteworthy men who have left works which indicate acuteness and mental training. But the break-up of Charlemagne's empire, the struggles between his descendants, the coming of new barbarians, and the disorder caused by the unruly feudal lords, who were not inclined to recognize any master, all combined to keep Europe back for at least two cen- turies more. Indeed, the tenth and the first half of the eleventh century seem, at first sight, little better than the seventh and the eighth. Yet ignorance and disorder never were quite so prevalent after, as they were before, Charlemagne. QUESTIONS Section 60. Explain the importance of the coronation of Pippin. Describe Charlemagne's appearance and character. How did the Church cooperate with Charlemagne in his efforts to incorporate the Saxons in his empire.'* Section 61. What led to Charlemagne's becoming Emperor? What modern countries did his empire include .'' Section 62. What were the chief sources of Charlemagne's revenue? How did titles of nobility originate in medieval Europe? What did Charlemagne do for education ?