1974 The Franks - part

The Franks

A Critical Study in Christianisation and Imperialism [PDF]

Original Dutch: Karel De Frank “De Groote”?

by F.J. Los, M.A., Ph.D.

Translated into English by John P. Wardle

Printed in England by Historical Review Press / Chapel Ascote, Ladbroke, Southam, Warwickshire

Publication of the Foundation “The Northern League”, P.O.B. 1796, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Author’s biography

[2]

Contents/ Plates/ Maps

[3]

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Foreword to the original Dutch edition

[5] One could fill part of a book dealing with the shortcomings of modern history-writing. While this branch of learning fulfils its prime function, namely the compilation and description of the facts, in a mostly satisfying and often even admirable way, it usually falls short of the target in the other field of its activity: in the highlighting and interpreting of the facts. The individualism and materialism of the age which lies behind us have made men see the historical happenings and persons in a different light than we see them today, but there are other causes underlying the blurring of the historical image.

Hereto belongs the frequently observed striving to make the historical image as presentable as possible in the eyes of the contemporary powers who, in the last analysis, preside over the weal and woe of the poor historian. This striving, of which the writer himself is not always necessarily aware and which emanates from human weakness, can never do justice to History as a science. After all, science is nothing but a seeking after Truth, and the question as to whether the results of that search are acceptable to the powers that be, is quite immaterial.

Nothing severs more our historical image from that which has till now held sway than the awareness that Race cannot be dispensed with as an explanatory factor. Whereas the deeper driving-springs of world-events are normally sought in “circumstances” of a mostly material kind, thus subject to change, it is the immutable and the abiding, such as character, heredity, and genetic race-bound factors which are invariably overlooked. What most historians here betray is a total lack of biological insight which makes incomplete the picture drawn by them of historical development. In the unsatisfying nature of the given “explanation” lies presumably the main reason why the science of History, which is so utterly vital to our world [-outlook → -view], has fallen into discredit among many of our [fellow-timesmen → contemporaries].

If the bid shall be made in this book to gain a more correct insight into that period of History, namely that lying between Antiquity and the Middle Ages, which finds its culmination and crowning in the reign of Charles the Frank — who by many is still called the “Great” — the reader should constantly bear in mind that our aim is not so much a description of History as the paving of the way towards a new historical contemplation. It is in the very nature of this plan that we do not crave completeness — indeed much is omitted that has no direct bearing on the main issue — and yet we have tried to bridge any gaps as far as possible, so as not to impair the cohesion of the whole.

One other thing cannot go unheeded. This work is not the fruit of an independent study of sources, but rests upon the careful perusal and mutual comparison of a number of works and recent publications which are based on the sources and to which is referred in the notes at the end of the book. The [6] writer is well aware that he is a go-between rather than the unearther of something new. Although he is indebted to others for information, yet he has striven never to accept anything uncritically, but to sift the employed material as far as possible, observing thereby a strict impartiality. He has sought to do justice both to the upholders and to the opponents of the racial standpoint, but has been mindful, nonetheless, of the words with which a German scholar has sketched the difficulties besetting an unprejudiced study of the period in question:

“We wish to arrive at an opinion about Charles in keeping with the Truth. That is, in view of the sources which, without exception, stand under suspicion of a biased patronage, a difficult task... The sources from that time, of which not a single one stems from a Saxon or neutral quarter, have been long since exploited, but are known to few in detail”.

Originally it was thought to give this book the title “Charles the Frank”.* But it seemed unfeasible to shed sufficient light on the figure of this Frankish king without first sketching the historical development which preceded his reign and shaped the conditions under which his entry on to the boards of history was to take place. Thus arose, of its own accord, a more comprehensive work wherein a closer examination was made, not only of the aforegoing history of the Franks, but of the conversion of the Teutons. An overall survey of the preceding development is to be found in the first three chapters which, together form the introduction to the appraisal of the main figure.

May this book help to clear the path for a Germanic view of history, taking the place of that universalistic and cosmopolitan one, with which we have hitherto been fed but which has at no time met with our approval.

So far the preface for the original Dutch edition of this book which was written in the village of Castricum, province of North Holland, in Harvestmonth 1940.

[* Note: The figure, who throughout the Anglo-Saxon world is known as Charlemagne or Charles the Great, is called here simply “Charles”. The Dutch original has “Karl”.]

Preface for the English edition

[7] When the plan of this book was crystallising in the mind of its author, a revival of Nordic-Germanic self-awareness seemed to be dawning. The centre of this movement was in Germany, but although it found an echo among the minor Germanic peoples of the European continent, it was hemmed in its spreading by unfavourable circumstances. The political antagonism between the leading Nordic-Germanic nations made it at that time improbable right from the start, that it would ever meet with a response from our Anglosaxon brotherfolks over the seas.

A world-catastrophe has passed since, and political circumstances are thoroughly changed. A war which has exhausted the forces and greatly reduced the power of the leading Germanic nations of Europe, has brought this continent onto the verge of destruction, while it has deprived the Nordic race of its dominant position all over the world. As a consequence of this internecine and devastating war — that was in the full sense of the word mainly a war between brother-folks — half Europe is at present occupied by an alien and half-Asiatic power, while the Nordic race, threatened by hostile forces from without and within, is everywhere thrown on the defensive.

To withstand the enormously increased power of Asiatic communism, seconded as it is by the “rising tide of colour” — to use an expression of a well known and far-seeing American author — most Western nations have united in a great alliance, to avert, if possible, their subjugation which would result in the total eclipse of Western culture. What makes the politics of these nations uncertain and unsuccessful however, is the blindness of their leading politicians to the significance of Race which makes them ignore in their doings the predominant Nordic and Germanic character of their peoples.

Greater still is the danger which threatens the Western peoples from within. This danger originates from the fact that these same politicians are, for a considerable part, aliens in respect of the soul of the Western culture, in which they cannot share, while nearly all of them are hating the Nordic race, the main producer and bearer of this culture. Striving to dilute and obliterate this race by a wholesale and thoroughgoing mongrelisation, they adhere to the obsolete ideal of “democracy” which originated in the antiquated equality idea.

As a result of the prevailing ideology, the Nordic element has lost its leadership of the Germanic nations, while at the same time and as a direct consequence thereof a phenomenon has become apparent which has justly been dubbed by another American writer, who ended tragically, as Culture distortion. Our Western culture is seriously ill and is degenerating in a terrifying manner, having come under the custody of men who are inwardly indifferent or even hostile to it, and whose mental and moral attitude differs too much from that of its creators.

[8] Culture distortion is however of olden date. As will be expounded in this book, it existed already from the sixth century onwards in the kingdom of the Franks and ever since that time the Nordic race has been struggling against tendencies in that direction. Although at present the situation is in this respect more serious than ever, there are, especially in the Anglosaxon countries, signs of an awakening of Nordic self-awareness and this revival of the race-soul, which is no longer confined to the homeland of the Germanic peoples, is our only hope for the future. If the English edition of this book could contribute a little to this Nordic renaissance, the writer would think it to be the best reward for his troubles.

To conclude with, he has to express his thanks to his friend, Mr. Jan Kruls in Amsterdam, who took the initiative in the translation of this book and sponsored its English edition. No less is he obliged to Mr. John P. Wardle in Dusseldorf, who effectuated the difficult task of translation in a short time, nonetheless in an excellent manner.*

Oostburg, Holland, Haymoon 1968. / The Author.

* Note: The translator, as an expert in Germanic languages, had the intention to use many real Anglosaxon words instead of words of French origin, which came later into the English language.

chapter one — The migration of Germanic peoples and its consequences

[9]

chapter two — The Franks & the Frankish kingdom

[15]

chapter three — The Carolingians & their politics

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chapter four — Charles the Frank

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chapter five — The Norsemen as redeemers of Germanic honour

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Closing Words

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Notes

[95-102]

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Comparative survey of the history of the Frankish kingdom and of the christianisation of the West-Teutons

[105-112]

First period (c.500-600)

Rise and downfall of the Merovingians	Subjugation of the free Teutons	Salient facts from the history of the West-Teuton conversion
[481-511] Chlodwig 486 — Syagrius defeated at Soissons. [500-510] — Forming of the Greater Frankish Kingdom. 500 — The Burgundians beaten at Dijon; they become tributary. 507 — The Visigoths beaten at Vouglé; the kingdom extended to the Garonne. 511 — Partitioning of the Kingdom among Chlodwig’s four sons. 532 — Total subjection of the Burgundians. 558-561 — Re-unification of the Kingdom under Lothar I, followed by a new partitioning. Austrasia (=Eastland), Neustria (=New Austria) and Burgundy are from now on the foremost parts of the kingdom, while Aquitania becomes a separate and half-autonomous dukedom. 561 — With the death of Lothar I, the decline of the Frankish kingdom begins as a result of: 1. the repeated partioningings; 2. continual and bloody family feuds; 3. the increasing might of the serving-nobility; 4. the frightful moral degeneration. Long-lasting rivalry between Sigibert I of Austrasia, Brunhilda’s husband and Chilperic of Neustria, husband of Fredegunda. 575 — Just as Sigibert seems to be winning in the brother-strife, which is breaking out, he is murdered by one of Fredegunda’s henchmen. Brunhilde has then to continue the struggle against the mighty Austrasian serving-nobility.	496 — Chlodwig defeats the Allemans and partly subjects them. 531 — Theoderic and Lothar, his sons, defeat the Thuringians and annex their territory. 536 or 538? — Theodebert, his grandson, completes the subjection of the Allemans (in Rhaetia), and probably also of the Thuringians. Round about the same time, the Bavarians are made tributary. From now on, Bavaria and Thuringia come under Christian dukes. (In Bavaria the Agilolfings, most likely a Frankish dynasty).	1. The Conversion of the Franks themselves. 496 — Chlodwig has himself baptised by Remigius. Political considerations overweigh in his conversion to Roman Catholicism. (Backing from the Church in his founding of the Great Frankish Kingdom. Treachery of the Roman Catholic bishops towards their Burgundian and Visigothic Arian masters). 511 — In order to break the resistance of the free yeomen and of a part of the nobility, Chlodwig gives the priests leave to wipe out heathendom and assists them therein by endowment of land. Even so, Christianity had still made little progress at his death. Under the reign of his sons begins the savage destruction of all Germanic halidoms and symbols in which the State supported the priests with armed might. 535 — The 2nd Synod of Orleans forbids the baptised to consort heathens, and brandmarks as work of the devil all things recalling the Germanic Age. c.550 — Erelong, a royal edict puts an end to the officially still recognised freedom of religion. The Germanic beliefs and its upholdery are outlawed; the destruction is ordered of all heathen symbols and halidoms, while pagan songs, holidays and dances are forbidden under pain of severe punishment. By dint of these measures, the Frankish kingdom loses more and more its Teutonic character. It has to rely increasingly upon its Romanic element — put on an equal footing by law with the Germanic! — while it becomes more and more a menace to its Germanic neighbours. c.650 — Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that heathendom only went out in Neustria round about 650, while it lasted on for centuries in Austrasia.

Second period (c.600-c.700)

Downfall of the Merovingians and rise of the Carolingians (Arnulfings)	Subjugation of the free Teutons	Salient facts from the history of the West-Teuton conversion
613 — Arnulf of Metz and Pepin the Elder treacherously deliver their queen, Brunhilda, over into the hands of her arch-foe Lothar of Neustria. Entry of the Carolingians into History. 613-628 — Lothar II reunifies the whole kingdom. His victory is essentially a triumph of the serving-nobility, to whom [in 614] at the diet of Paris he is forced to grant farreaching privileges. 622 — Dagobert, king of Austrasia; Pepin the Elder his majordomus. 628-638 — Dagobert, in complete power. As the last deed-mighty Merovingian, he banished Pepin from his court. Some years later, he appoints the latter’s son-in-law, Ansegisil, major-domus of Austrasia. After Dagobert's death, begins for the Carolingians a time of vicissitude. The house-mayors of the three provinces feud among each other to the death, appearing now as the representatives of kinghood and now as the tools of the serving-nobility. For a time the Carolingians fade, even completely, into the background. 687 — The battle of Tertri; Pepin of Heristal, a son of Ansegisil, defeats the house-mayor of Neustria and then has him put to death. Re-establishment of imperial unity. 687-714 — Pepin of Heristal becomes house-mayor over the entire kingdom. He calis himself “duke and prince of the Franks”, and names his grandson of tender years as his successor, which gives rise to a new civil war.	In connection with the weakening of the Frankish kingdom, it is not until towards the end of this period that a revision of the frontiers takes place. For the time being, it calls for the greatest endeavours to keep the border-lands under control. c.630 — Dagobert sustains a defeat at the hands of the Slavs, so forcing him to make renewed concessions to the Austrasian serving-nobility (the nomination of Ansegisil!). 689 — The battle of Dorestad. Radbod (679-719) has to yield Western Frisia from the Sincfal to the Flie. Pepin carries on the struggle against the Allemans.	2. The Irish-‘‘Frankish” mission The Frankish brand of Christianity is so lukewarm and superficial that the work of conversion among the heathens is soon taken over by aliens — the Irish. The secularisation of the Frankish priesthood causes their preaching to be directed in the first place towards those Christians dwelling within the kingdom; only later do the Irish turn towards the heathens in the off-lying lands. The so-called “Frankish” helpers, whom they find, are, for the greater part, native Romanics from Gaul. Further characteristics of this mission are: 1. It does not emanate from Rome, but from a monkhood, independent of Rome, which has its base in Ireland. 2. It forgoes thereby the support of the mighty Roman Catholic hierarchy, with which it at length clashes. 3. Nonetheless, it preaches asceticism and penance and deviates only on minor issues from customs and teachings of Roman Catholicism. 4. Although not averse to the use of force, it was supported less powerfully by worldly authority than the later Anglo-Saxon mission, and meets thus with less resistance. In the Frankish kingdom, the Irish monkhood reaches its peak of power at the Synod of Chalon which adopts certain basic principles of the Irish mission, such as penitence, confession and celibacy. In the dependent Germanic lands, Allemania, Bavaria and Thuringia, the preaching of these monks finds support among: 1.The Romanic folk-remnants (in Bavaria called ‘“Walchen”), who had been left behind in the first two above-named lands; 2. the bishoprics which had persisted in these lands from Roman times and 3. the ruling ducal families (in Bavaria, the Catholic Agilolfings). In Thuringia, their evangelism is facilitated, moreover, by the moral aftermath of a crushing defeat (at Burgscheidungen, 531). The most outstanding of these Irish or “Frankish” gospellers are: 615 — Columba (the Younger), and Gallus, who preach among the Allemans around Lake Constance. c.630 — Amandus, who, with the powerful backing of Dagobert, converts the Flemings. c.640 — Eligius who, as bishop of Noyon, preaches among Saxons and Swabians. c.680 — Kilian, who appears in the Main region, and perhaps also in Thuringia. c.700 — Rudbert, Emmeram and Corbinian, who work in Bavaria. c.700 — Landibert, who lays waste halidoms and idols in Toxandria (= Brabant), and c.730 — Pirmin who preaches, at a somewhat later period, among the Allemans.

Third period (c.700-768)

Downfall of the Merovingians and rise of the Carolingians (Arnulfings)	Subjugation of the free Teutons	Salient facts from the history of the West-Teuton conversion
714-717 — New civil war. Raginfried instals himself as house-mayor of Neustria; the borderlands become independent. Meanwhile, the regent Plectrudis and her stepson Kari vie for power. 717-741 — Charles Martel as house-mayor. He rules for the time being without a king. Longlasting quarrel with Eudo, Duke of Aquitania. The smashing of many local despots. 732 — The Arabs defeated at Poitiers. Charles refuses the Pope help against the Langobards and assumes an independent attitude towards the Church. Towards the end of his reign, the Pope strikes up an alliance with the Bavarians, whom he incites to apostasy. This betokens a temporary divergence from the Frankish-minded papal policy. 741-747 — Carloman (enters a monastery after 746). 741-768 — Pepin the Younger (the Short). 741 — They quarrel erelong with their stepbrother Grifo which leads to a new falling-away of the borderlands — for instance Aquitania — (cf. 714). Close co-operation with the Pope. The reform of the Frankish church under the leadership of Boniface strengthens the papal authority. In Germany too, both powers work together. Attempt to introduce celibacy. The Frankish church remains a state church. 751 — Pepin the Short anointed king by Boniface with the Pope’s consent. 754 — Intervention in Italy to the Pope’s advantage. The founding of the Church State makes an Italian unified state impossible. 759 — Pepin drives the Arabs out of Gaul (Narbonne). 760-768 — He subdues Aquitania.	714 — Radbod joins up with the Saxons and Raginfried and reconquers West Frisia. 726 — He defeats Charles Martel at Cologne. 719 — Aldgisil II is forced to cede West Frisia for a second time. From there, ravaging raids into the rest of Frisia. Warmarches into Swabia. c.720 — Lex Alamannorum. 723-730 — Fresh resistance of Swabians or Allemans. 734 — Duke Boppo defeated near the Boornzee. Frisia subjugated as far as the river Lauwers. 741 — Uprising of Bavarians and Allemans, assisted by Saxons and Slavs. 743 — Battle by the river Lech; the Bavarians make peace, but the Allemans continue the struggle.746 — The Massacre of Cannstatt; many thousands of Allemans murdered.749 — The dissolution of their tribal dukedom. 757 — Tassilo of Bavaria swears the vassal oath, 763 — Tassilo breaks away from Pepin.	[678 or 690?] — The preaching of Wilfried and Wigbert in the territory of the Frisians is fruitless. The first missionary journey of Willibrord is a failure. Hereafter, Willibrord is transferred by Pepin of Heristal to Antwerp. 690-714 — After a second misfallen mission into free Frisia and into Denmark, he confines his preaching to the subjected territory. Perhaps at this point, Boniface is already his fellow-worker. 714-719 — Heathen reactions. Radbod drives off the Christian priests and has their churches laid waste. Willibrord withdraws to Echternach. 719 — The gospel-work is reassumed, whereupon the free part of Frisia is reaved by fire and sword. Willibrord preaches, among other places, on the island of Walcheren. From Charles Martel he receives Trecht (= Utrecht), Vechten and many other endowments. The enforced “conversion” always runs abreast the cementing of Frankish authority and the claim to supremacy of the Pope. Boniface works more in the capacity of a church organiser and reformer than as an evangelist among the heathens. In the already half-converted parts of Germany he wipes out, with the backing of Frankish authority, not only the remnants of heathenhood but also the customs of the Irish Christians. He subjects by force the Irish prelates to the supremacy of the Pope. Review of his career. 719 — The Pope entrusts him with the reformation of the Christian church in Thuringia. It is impossible to carry out this task without the support of worldly authority. Therefore, Boniface goes to join Willibrord in Utrecht, sojourns there for three years, and then sets out again for Rome where the Pope consecrates him bishop of Thuringia. 722 — In Thuringia he comes up against a solid ecclesiastical community, and is quite unable to achieve anything without the use of force. 732 — He preaches in Hesse (Donar’s Oak), becomes archbishop and, in 738, is given the task of reforming the Bavarian church. in his office of papal ambassador. 738 — With the mighty support of duke Odilo he is able to fully suppress not only heathendom but also the Irish confession. The death of Charles Martel enables him to accomplish the same in Thuringia. Celibacy and the recognition of papal supremacy were introduced by force, and a so-called “Germanic” synod quells religious freedom in Southern and Central Germany. Therewith Boniface’s life-goal is reached! The Roman Empire is factually reinstalled and this renascent imperium forms a deathly menace for Germany.

Fourth period (768-814)

Survey of political events	Subjugation of the free Teutons	Salient facts from the history of the West-Teuton conversion
768-814 — Reign of Charles the Frank. 774 — Overthrow of the Langobard Kingdom. Their king, Desiderius, together with wife and daughter, is imprisoned in a Frankish monastery. Charles, king of the Franks and Langobards. 778 — March on Spain. Charles conquers Pampelona, but is brought to a halt at Saragossa. His rearguard is wiped out in the pass of Roncevalles (Lay of Roland!). His great plans misfire. 782 — Struggle against the Slavonic Sorbs in the Elbe region. FIRST CLIMAX OF THE SAXON WARS 787 — Norse inroad on Wessex. Outset of the Viking raids. 788 — Incorporation of Bavaria. Duke Tassilo, together with his two sons, has to take the monk’s tonsure. 791-795 — The Avar War. Abortive plan for the laying of a Main-Danube canal. 793 — Norse invasion of Northumberland. Lindisfarne laid waste. Followed by raids on Ireland. 795 — Overthrow of the Avar ring. Establishment of the Spanish March. SECOND CLIMAX OF THE SAXON WARS 800 — Norse raids on the coast of Gaul. Imperial crowning. 804 — Fruitless negotiations with the Danish king Göttrick lead to a break-off of relations. 808 — Göttrik’s conquests in the land of the Obotrites. After his withdrawal, building of the “Danewirk”. 809 — Unsuccessful peace negotiations. Danish invasion of Frisia. 810 — Göttrik meets Charles at Verden. His death. 811 — Peace with Denmark. 813 — Iona laid waste by the Vikings.	772 — First campaigns against the Saxons. Fall of the Eresburg. 774 — Reprisal march of the Saxons into Hesse. Charles subjugates them anew. 777 — Imperial diet at Paderborn. 778 — Widukind unleashes, with the help of Frisians and Danes, a new uprising. 779 — Battle of Bocholt. New subjection. 782 — Annexation arouses a fresh rebellion. Battle of the Süntelgebirge. The Bloodbath of Verden. 783 — General uprising. Battles at Detmold and by the river Hase. 784 — Systematic destruction. Submission of Widukind. 792 — A new and almost general uprising. 794 — Partial reduction. 795 — Devastation and partial depopulation of the Bardengau. 796 — Punitive expeditions in Lower Saxony. 797-798 New plundering raids and deportations, continued right into the winter. 798 — Fresh rebellion. Laying waste of a wide area. Deportation of about 1600 athelings. 799 — Renewed depopulations. 804 — The last uprising. Wigmodia and North Albingia completely depopulated; the latter region given over to the Obotrites.	The Anglo-Saxon Liafwin (Lebuinus d.775) preaches among the Saxons in the neighbourhood of Deventer from the beginning of Charles’ reign onwards. Willehad (b. roughly 735 and d.789), likewise an Anglo-Saxon, preaches at the same time, first among the Frisians in the Dokkum neighbourhood, later around Drenthe. Liudger (b. roughly 744 and d.809), hailing presumably from Zuilen, begins his missionary work in Deventer in 775, preaches in West Frisia, and is sent to Dokkum in 778 as successor to Willehad. All these evangelists limit their activities to Frisia and the fringes of Saxon territory, where they operate under Frankish protection. 772 — The Reaving of the Inminsul. Beginning of the enforced conversion of the Saxons. Charles converts partly by the sword, partly by persuasion, and partly by gifts. Jan. 774 — He resolves to underyoke the Saxons to Christianity, or failing that, to wipe them out. 777 — At Paderborn, the Saxons are compelled to swear allegiance to the new teaching. 780 — After the battle of Bocholt, Willehad moves to East Frisia and Dithmarschen at the king’s behest. At Ohrum, after having been baptised, the Saxons straightway throw their leaden crosses into the stream. The established bishoprics are given to Frankish church dignitaries, who in turn pass them on to former Saxon prisoners brought up in Frankish monasteries. The “Capitulatio de partibus saxoniae” exacts the death penalty for those failing to become baptised, for failure to keep festivals, for the burning of the dead, for hostility towards Christians etc. etc. Churchgoing and the baptism of infants are commanded, whereas all heathen practices are forbidden. The handing over of heathen priests and skalds is ordered. Introduction of church tithes. 782 — The uprising under Widukind makes conversion at times impossible. Willehad has to flee out of East Frisia, Liudger out of Dokkum. 785 — After Widukind’s downthrow, the work of conversion is reassumed. Willehad returns to East Frisia and, soon after, becomes bishop of Bremen (787). Liudger preaches in Groningen, afterwards in Westfalia, and in 804 becomes Bishop of Münster. Both men devastate and rob heathen halidoms. 792 — Return of the Saxons to heathenhood. Churches burnt down, priests killed or driven away. Before this, converts have already been shunned by their kinsmen. 793 — Start of the Norse raids on the centres of Christian missioning. Lindisfarne laid waste. Erelong followed by inroads into Ireland. 795 — Beginning of enforced evacuation, whereby, among others, the gau of Wigmodia, where Willehad has worked, is sorely stricken for a second time. 797 — Alkwin writes that the Saxons are loth to baptism and crave preachers instead of plunderers (praedicatores sed non praedatores). in the “Capitulare Saxonicum” the ruthless legislation of 780 is mildened in some respects. 799 — Alkwin still doubts whether Saxony was ever meant for Christianity.