William the Conqueror
William was the French Duke of Normandy, who was determined to become more than just a Duke. William was born 1028, and died 1087 he lived to be 69 years old! Usually the normal life expectancy in the Medieval times was 30! William was the son of Robert the Duke of Normandy. After his father’s death in 1035, he was next in line for the Duke. In 1042 he began to take more control of his power. From 1046 to 1055 he was in control of a series of rebellions, his success lead him to marry Matilda, the daughter of Count Baldwin of Flanders.
William was furious when, Edward, the king of England died and, Harold, Earl of Wessex was crowned king. King Edward had promised William the crown after his passing, and was let down by him. William then went to England and settled near the town of Hastings. Harold had travelled North fighting off other invaders and defeated the King of Norway soon after. Later his army met Williams’ on the journey South, back to Hastings. The battle for supremacy lasted all day , but Harold and his army were killed, leading William and his knights to victory.
William called himself the King of England, but the villagers named him “William the Conqueror”. After the battle William rewarded his knights with their own piece of land to watch over. This is how feudalism spread from France to England. William continued his reign of battling and succeeding until he became too old to fight any longer. He spent the next 15 years in Normandy leaving the government of england to the clergymen. When he died it was a sad loss, but his story will live forever.
Charlemagne
In 768 Charlemagne and his younger brother, Carloman, founded the Kingdom of the Franks. Charlemagne became supreme ruler when Carloman died in 771. In this time of despair for Carloman's loss, the Franks were beginning to follow the Barbarian ways, and avoiding their education, and religion. In the south the Roman Catholic church stated its power to recreate land that was taken away by the Lombard of Italy. Charlemagne was King of Western Europe and was determined to strengthen his kingdom to bring justice to all of Europe.
Charlemagne was born as the son of a Frankish king, Charlemagne brother died soon after they started ruling the kingdom together, no one knows how he died some believe he was killed by Charlemagne. After this Charlemagne became the only ruler, then he entered many wars to gain him more land. He was known to have never lost anything related to military conquest, he then earned: most of Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, from military conquest. He had the most power in Europe since the reign of Roman Empires, but his new land was not at all Roman.
Charlemagne really did bring light into this time of the dark ages, he provided something that was almost destroyed by the dark ages. He brought back education in a time where only few knew how to read or write. He tried to make education accessible to children. He saved Europe from the darkness for a short period of time. Charlemagne really wanted to make Europe great again, he also was determined to make everyone Christian. He was also so determined to make everyone obey him. So if you disobeyed him, refused to be baptized, didn't believe in his Christian faith he would simply kill you. He killed many people in his reign so Charlemagne wasn't perfect. People often seem to forget another dark secret about Charlemagne was that he had about five wives and he had about twenty kids. While Charlemagne did bring light into the middle ages he also brought much violence with him.
First paragraph written by Audrey M. last two by Haley J.
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc was born as a peasant and a farmer's daughter around 600 years ago in the town of Domremy on the border of Champagne and Lorraine. Her name in French is Jeanne d’arc. When she was 12 she heard voices of saints such as St. Michael, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine, the voices were supposed to be sent from God. The voices told her that her mission was to save France from England, they told her to dress as a man, and to cut her hair. People think why she heard the voices she heard was because she may have mental issues.
She then changed the course of the hundred year war, she led her troops to victory, she is remembered in history for this, although she never actually fought. When the French finally won their freedom back on July 17, 1429 she did not celebrate with her troops they mourned all the lost soldiers, she even cried for all the killed soldiers on the British side. When Charles VII was made king after winning the one hundred year war she was placed of honor next to the king. Her victories didn't last for long, she was captured and sold to the British in 1430. Then the british passed her over to the court where she was thought to have witchcraft and she was also told wearing mens clothing on a female was against God. On May 30, 1431 she was burned to the stake at a market place, she was only 19 years old. Later on 1456 she was proved innocent, which really didn't help Joan because by then she was already dead. Then much later in history she was made a saint by the catholic church.
This story of Joan of Arc shows us that the dark ages were a dark and brutal time. Joan of Arc was burned on a stake with bystanders watching. This is a horrible death and the times must have been violent for people to stand by and watch a 19 year old girl die. On the other hand the times did have some light. Joan of Arc was a young girl who showed what great things women could do. I would say that the dark ages were a dark time with hints of light.
- Haley Jensen
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine was born in 1122 in Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France. Her father, William, was a Duke of Aquitaine, so she was born into wealth and power. Because of this, she was raised with a great education. Later in life, she became an important figure for both poets and writers.
After the death of her father and brother, when she was fifteen, she was left with a huge inheritance. Many men attempted to get her to marry them, but she did not agree. She then married Louis VII, and with him she had two sons. When Louis’s father died, he became King of France, and she became Queen of France. She later went with him on the Second Crusade to Jerusalem and Constantinople, which was a failure. Eleanor and Louis had a weak marriage, and in 1157, they were divorced.
In less than two months, she remarried to Henry of Anjou. He later became King of England, and she became Queen of England. She helped run her kingdom of England, as well as her kingdom in France. In 1173, two of Eleanor’s sons brought her into a plot to overthrow her father. The plan failed, and as a result, Eleanor was imprisoned. Eventually, Henry passed away, and their son Richard became king and released her. She still remained involved in government affairs as she grew older, and when King Richard died and John became king.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a truly remarkable woman during the Middle Ages. She was strong-willed, smart, and very powerful. She was involved in politics until her passing in 1204. She is one of the most extraordinary women of medieval times and provided “light” during this time.
-Chloe L.
After the death of her father and brother, when she was fifteen, she was left with a huge inheritance. Many men attempted to get her to marry them, but she did not agree. She then married Louis VII, and with him she had two sons. When Louis’s father died, he became King of France, and she became Queen of France. She later went with him on the Second Crusade to Jerusalem and Constantinople, which was a failure. Eleanor and Louis had a weak marriage, and in 1157, they were divorced.
In less than two months, she remarried to Henry of Anjou. He later became King of England, and she became Queen of England. She helped run her kingdom of England, as well as her kingdom in France. In 1173, two of Eleanor’s sons brought her into a plot to overthrow her father. The plan failed, and as a result, Eleanor was imprisoned. Eventually, Henry passed away, and their son Richard became king and released her. She still remained involved in government affairs as she grew older, and when King Richard died and John became king.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was a truly remarkable woman during the Middle Ages. She was strong-willed, smart, and very powerful. She was involved in politics until her passing in 1204. She is one of the most extraordinary women of medieval times and provided “light” during this time.
-Chloe L.