“Childeric,” or Hilderik. The race had become so weak that the rulers have been well described as the “shadow kings.” This last ruler of the Merovingians was thrust into a convent, where he soon died.
“Pepin,” pēpˈin. The son of Charles Martel. See page 129 of The Chautauquan. His wars were successful. The most interesting was against the Lombards, who were threatening Rome. He compelled them to give up to the Church of Rome a considerable territory which was, says a writer, “The foundation of that temporal power of the papacy, the end of which we have seen with our own eyes.”
“Charlemagne,” sharˈle-mānˌ. See page 131 of fourth volume of The Chautauquan.
“Hugues.” Hugh, in English; “Capet,” cāˈpet or căpˈet.
“Louis le Gros.” Louis the Great.
“Feudal system.” That system where land is held of superiors, on condition of military service.
P. 215, c. 2.—“Oriflamme.” From the Latin auriflamma, or flame of gold. A flag or banner of red or flame colored cloth, cut into long points at the end and mounted on a gilded lance. It originated in a certain abbey of France, where it was used in religious services.
“Touraine,” tô-rān; “Poitou,” pwä-tôˈ. These provinces had come to England on the accession of Henry II. (1154), to whom they belonged.
“Gallican Church.” The Catholic Church of France, which holds certain doctrines differing from those of the church at large. This church claims that the pope is limited as far as France is concerned, by the decisions of the Gallican Church, that kings and princes are not subject to him, and that he is not infallible. This pragmatic sanction of St. Louis in 1269 was the most important outbreak against Rome that ever took place in the Gallican Church.
“Le Bel.” The Beautiful.