Was Charlemagne Justified In The Egyptian Rebellion

A Most Violent Conversion The conversion of Saxony proved to be the fiercest clash of religious conversion Charlemagne had to endure. In many years of war, both sides become increasingly agitated with one another and consistently fail to gain ground in their religious interests. The Saxons were “forgetful of their entire faith and treaty [and] were unwilling to remain in peace.” Because of the “evil nature” of the Saxons, Charlemagne was often widely upheld as a righteous king who was justified in his conversion of the Saxons because he was spreading Christianity. The character and reputation of Charlemagne exemplified his willpower to conquer Saxony by enforcing their political and religious submission. Einhard, a member of Charlemagne’s

This suggests a likely theme that Charlemagne was expected to be recognized in a way that promoted the idea he was a humble servant of God who was worthy of such praise in the form of poetry. Moreover, combining the elements of his servitude and great determination increasingly suggests Charlemagne could not have simply allowed Saxon rebellion continue. Thus, he would have been committed to the conversion of Saxony no matter how long it took or what power he had to forcibly

The Saxons were especially considered in need of Christianity due to their rebellious nature and commitment to their pagan beliefs and practices. Over the course of thirty years, Charlemagne attempted to obliterate the Saxons through religious conversion because they were considered “ferocious by nature, devoted to a cult of demons, and hostile to [Christianity].” Laws were put in place to encourage Saxons to convert to Christianity. Those of the Saxon race who did not obey these laws often risked being punished by death, but there was a clause that allowed the criminals to seek refuge in a church. If Charlemagne truly desired the Saxons to choose to submit to the Church, why was the only other option death? This seemed like an unfair punishment that, instead, forced Saxons to become baptized rather than convert as they so desired. However, a Saxon poet who became a committed Catholic, celebrated Charlemagne’s efforts to Christianize the Saxons while being thankful for the devastation of paganism. Thus, Charlemagne was remembered as righteous in his violent aggression toward the Saxons because he was implementing Christianity into the whole of Saxon