Charlemagne

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Tom Hart

Puritan Board Senior
On 28 January 814 Charlemagne died. According to his biographer Einhard, Charlemagne loved roasted meat, and hated doctors who told him to eat boiled meat for his health. Charlemagne was not very of fond strong drink, hating to see anyone drunk. He favoured rough, simple clothes, such as sheepskins, over fancy robes and silks.

Charlemagne was said to be a giant of a man. In 1861 his grave was opened and his skeleton was measured at 1.92 metres (6ft. 3in.).
 
I was privileged to view Charlemagne's sword, which he named La Joyeuse (joyful), in the Louvre. Only the blade is thought to be original, but what incredible action it must have seen...
 
I wonder what the average height was for folks back in his time.
According to this paper, in England in the 1100s the average height was 173cm. That is three centuries later, and during a period of considerable stability. It is taller than I'd have expected! Yet it is still considerably shorter than our Frankish conqueror.
 
And we have Charlemagne to thank for pipe organs in church. (An organ in Hungary dates back to 228, but it apparently belonged to the local fire department).
 
And we have Charlemagne to thank for pipe organs in church. (An organ in Hungary dates back to 228, but it apparently belonged to the local fire department).
Reading Notker the Stammerer's biography of Charlemagne, one does get the sense that he was something of a religious innovator. He exercised tight control over the bishops in his empire and, from the account of Notker, no one thought much of it.
 
6'3", huh? What about Peppa the "Hammer"?

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According to this paper, in England in the 1100s the average height was 173cm. That is three centuries later, and during a period of considerable stability. It is taller than I'd have expected! Yet it is still considerably shorter than our Frankish conqueror.

About 5 foot 6, when translated into English (heh).
 
I know his name and that's about it....I know I learned about him in school but I can't recollect what he did. I'm old so that's why I can't remember.
 
Now, there's a guy who probably never got a date.
He didn't. He was holed up in the monastery of St. Gall for most of his life.

I should add that, while "slow of speech", Notker was said to be exceptionally sharp-witted and likeable.
 
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