The Age of Charlemagne by George James

Author:George James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jovian Press

FROM THE INCORPORATION OF SAXONY, TO THE HOMAGE OF THE DUKE OF BAVARIA.

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FROM 780 TO 782.

Although the sceptre of Lombardy had been snatched from the hand of Desiderius, and though he himself remained in the ecclesiastical seclusion from which he was never destined to be withdrawn, many members of his family still existed at large, spread over various parts of Europe; and the desire of vengeance, naturally fostered by affection for a fallen relation, and humiliated pride, was only restrained by the terror of the conqueror’s arms. Adalgisus, the son of the dethroned monarch, continued to reside at Constantinople; and though, at the time, no efficient aid was granted to him by the imperial court, yet a favorable opportunity only seemed wanting to a renewal of the attempt to recover possession of Italy.

One of the daughters of Desiderius had married Arichis, Duke of Beneventum, and viewed, with unabated and inextinguishable hatred, the dominion of the Francs, in a land which had once been the portion of her family. At the same time, the high qualities and warlike character of her husband, rendered revolt probable, and success not unhopeful.

A second daughter of the dethroned King of Lombardy shared the ducal seat of Tassilo of Bavaria, whom I have before had occasion to mention as a relation and vassal of Charlemagne, and upon whose proud spirit the weight of homage lay an uneasy load, which he endeavored to make light by neglect, while he only waited occasion to throw it off for ever.

The mission of Saint Sturmius, in the early part of the French monarch’s reign, had effected a reconciliation between the King and his cousin, upon whose head the open violation of his vows to Pepin had brought down the more terrible anger of Charlemagne. After that period, the immense power and the continual activity of his liege lord, had withheld Tassilo from making an attempt, to which triumphant success could alone secure impunity. It would appear, however, that about the present time, instigated by the revengeful spirit of his wife, and by his own proud desire of independent sovereignty, he engaged with Arichis, Duke of Beneventum, and with Adalgisus, their brother-in-law, for the purpose of wresting Italy from the grasp of Charlemagne, and of establishing an armed union sufficient to resist the power of their mighty opponent.

These schemes were carried on in darkness and secrecy, for the conspirators well knew that the watchful eyes of Charlemagne could only be blinded by the most cautious prudence; but, at the same time, long, slow, and careful preparation was necessary, to afford the slightest prospect of success. With hostile purposes laboring at the heart, and great and powerful designs advancing towards consummation, it is very difficult so to guard every action, that some suspicious circumstances will not betray, to an attentive observer, the plans which occupy the breast. Neither Tassilo nor Arichis were capable of such perfect dissimulation, as entirely to cover their schemes from the view of the French monarch. The first

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