d the people to submission. In accordance
with the rude customs of the time, he compelled them to accept
Christianity and receive baptism. He is said to have baptized the
prisoners of war with his own hand. He divided Saxony into eight
bishoprics, and supported the bishops with guards of soldiers. We
should look upon such missionary work as this as very questionable
to-day, although enlightened nations of this age have sometimes
adopted a policy in dealing with other countries that is as open to
criticism and censure.

The Pope of Rome became involved in troubles with the Lombards. He
appealed for help to the victorious King of the Franks, the
recognized champion of the Church. Charlemagne crossed the Alps,
conquered Lombardy, and crowned himself with the iron crown of the
ancient Lombard kings.

[Illustration: CHARLEMAGNE IN THE SCHOOL OF THE PALACE.]

He then repaired to Rome and entered the city in triumph. As he
came to St. Peter's he stooped to kiss the steps in memory of the
illustrious men that had trodden it before him. The Pope there
received him in great ceremony, and the choir chanted, "Blessed is
he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

He now became the most powerful monarch in the world. He gained
great victories over the Moors in Spain, and it was in one of the
mountain passes there that the chivalrous young Roland, of heroic
song, perished. His lands stretched from the Baltic Sea to the
Mediterranean.

In the year 800 he went to Rome. It was Christmas Day. He entered
the basilica of St. Peter's to attend Mass. He approached the altar,
and bowed to pray. The Pope secretly uplifted the crown of the world
and placed it upon his head.

The people shouted, "_Long live Charles Augustus, crowned of God,
Emperor of the Romans!_"

From this time Charlemagne was the Kaiser, or Caesar, of the Holy
Roman Empire on the Tiber and the Rhine.

The Rhine was loved by Charlemagne. He lived much on its borders,
and he was buried near it, in a church that he had founded, at
Aix-la-Chapelle.

"I'd dwell where Charlemagne looked down,
And, turning to his peers,
Exclaimed: 'Behold, for this fair land
I've prayed and fought for years.'
Then all the Rhine towers shook to hear
The earthquake of their cheers.

"That day the tide ran crimson red
(But not with Rhenish wine);
Not with those vintage str