The name of Clovis is not alone to be remembered as that of the founder
of the kingdom of the Franks, but for the remarkable so-called conversion
which he experienced during a hard-fought battle with the Alemanni. While
the result was yet in doubt, Clovis, in the face of his army, called upon
the new God, Christ, and vowed to serve him, if he would help him now.
He was victorious; received instruction from St. Remigius, and was then
baptized, with three thousand of his noblest Franks, in the cathedral at
Rheims. “Bow thy head in silence, Sigambrian,” said the saint; “worship
what thou hast hitherto destroyed; war against what thou hast worshiped.”
This was by no means the only instance of wholesale conversions to
Christianity in consequence of a victory. The heathen, when defeated by
Christians, commonly ascribed the result to the superior strength of the
Christian God, and often resolved to seek his protection for themselves.
It was the Catholic, not the Arian faith, which Clovis adopted. He was
straightway recognized by the Pope as “the most Christian king,” the
appointed protector and propagator of the true faith against Arian
Germany.
Clovis built up his kingdom with many a deed of blood, but with great
vigor. His empire comprised German as well as Roman territory; but struck
root firmly in the old native soil, from which it drew ever new strength:
and therefore it was that its duration was not merely momentary, like
that of the Gothic kingdoms, but it proved the beginning of the monarchy
of the Middle Ages, the beginning of a new national life, in which Roman
form was animated with fresh German strength. Clovis ruled his wide realm
from Paris, a city which had existed even before the days of Cæsar and
the Romans in Gaul. He died in Paris at the early age of forty-five.[B]
* * * * *
From Clovis to _Karl der Grosse_ (French, _Charlemagne_; Latin, _Carolus
Magnus_), a period of two hundred and fifty years, we witness not only
the vicissitudes incident to the establishment of a new social and
political order upon the ruins of the old, with all the ferocity of
manner and barbarity of action to be expected in such an age; but also
there is the gradual displacement of the old pagan religions by the newer
one called Christianity. It is a period of strifes, of jealousies, and
blood. It was toward the last of this period that occurred the memorable
battle of Poitiers, between the Franks under Karl, afterward surnamed
_Martel_, and the Saracens, who having crossed from Africa and possessed
themselves of entire Spain, next collected a large army, and under
command of Abderrahman, Viceroy of the Caliph of Damascus, set out for
the conquest of France and Germany, as yet an undivided nationality. Thus
the new Christian faith of Europe, still engaged in quelling the last
strength of the ancient paganism, was suddenly called upon to meet the
newer faith of Mohammed, which had determined to subdue the world.
Not only France, but the Eastern Empire, Italy and England looked to
Karl, in this emergency. The Saracens crossed the Pyrenees with 350,000
warriors, accompanied by their wives and children, as if they were sure
of victory and meant to possess the land. Karl called the military
strength of the whole broad kingdom into the field, collected an army
nearly equal in numbers, and finally, in October, 732, the two hosts
stood face to face, near the city of Poitiers. It was a struggle almost
as grand, and as fraught with important consequences to the world, as
that of Aëtius and Attila, nearly 300 years before. Six days were spent
in preparations, and on the seventh the battle began. The Saracens
attacked with that daring and impetuosity which had gained them so many
victories; but, as the old chronicle says, “the Franks, with their
strong hearts and powerful bodies, stood like a wall, and hewed down
the Arabs with iron hands.” When night fell, 200,000 dead and wounded
lay upon the field. Karl made preparations for resuming the battle on
the following morning, but he found no enemy. The Saracens had retired
during the night, leaving their camps and stores behind them, and their
leader, Abderrahman, among the slain. This was the first great check the
cause of Islam received, after a series of victories more wonderful than
those of Rome. From that day the people bestowed upon Karl the surname
of _Martel_, the Hammer, and as Charles Martel he is best known in
history.[C]