Berenger and Charlemagne

Berenger II-Count of Bayeux

     These videos were taken at Bayeux, Normandy, France.  Berenger was Count of Bayeux when the Viking Rollon arrived.  Rollon killed Berenger, destroyed his castle, and kidnapped his daughter, Poppa, who became the mother of his children.  Apparently nothing remains of the castle.  It’s possible the cathedral was built on the spot later.  The Bayeux Tapestry is located here though it dates to a different time period and has little to do with Berenger and Rollon.  The end of the first video shows the Baptist church in Bayeux, and the the last video shows a close-up of a sign in the window of the church which translates, “Christ died for our sins.  Hallelujah, He has risen.”

http://youtu.be/S9OQjbM9LiI

http://youtu.be/Yip-J04zGhI-Christ died for our sins.  Hallelujah, he has risen.

              F  Henry-Count of Saxony                          M Ingeltrude

                    F Poppo of Grapfield-                                   F Eberhard-Duke of Fruili

                        Count of Saxony-Frank                            M Gisela-Princess of the Holy

                                                                                                                 Roman Empire

                                                                                                       F Louis I

                                                                                                            F Charlemagne

     These videos are from Aachen, Germany.  The first one begins with an overview of the significance of the place and then moves to scenes connected to Charlemagne.  There is the octagonal roof of the chapel, which is the only remaining structure of Charlemagne’s capital complex.  Next there is the facade of the city building where there are statues of the Holy Roman Emperors.  Inside are rooms devoted to various periods of history and artifacts connected to Charlemagne.  The great hall upstairs is located on the spot where Charlemagne’s great hall stood.

http://youtu.be/Fns74YEV

     The second video continues with the great hall and then gives a closer look at the Holy Roman Emperors on the facade with Charlemagne being just above the main entrance.  Charlemagne was crowned in Rome, but the next thirty-two Holy Roman Emperors were crowned here at Aachen.  Each one brought a lavish gift, some of which are shown in the museum and inside the chapel.

                                                                                          http://youtu.be/rFGcxovH3Os

     This third video shows the lavish inside of the chapel where Charlemagne’s tomb is.  It shows the chandelier given by Frederick I ( Barbarossa) and the shrine by Frederick II, both Holy Roman Emperors.  Moving to a wing we see the Bust of Charlemagne which incorporates a piece of his skull given by Karl IV, a close-up of the magnificent jewels on most all of the pieces, the Cross of Lothair with the crucifixion engraved on the back, the Persephone Sargophagus, and various other articles of interest.

                                                                                          http://youtu.be/4V4dnINHcfg

                                                                                          http://youtu.be/KP2HbJrhnmY

     Last is a continuation of the Cross of Lothair with the crucifixion on the back and the jewels.  There is the crown of Margaret of York with its carrying case.  Margaret was married to the French king Charles the Bold.  Back inside the chapel we get glimpses of Charlemagne’s marble throne above the chandelier and then we move outside for the outside of the chapel.  Last there is the gate, part of the wall that once surrounded the city.