There were three of these grandsons, and, when their struggle had left them thoroughly exhausted, they divided the empire into three. Their treaty of Verdun (843) is often quoted as beginning the modern kingdoms of Germany, France, and Italy. The division was in some sense a natural one, emphasized by differences of language and of race. Italy was peopled by descendants of the ancient Italians, with a thin intermingling of Goths and Lombards; France held half-Romanized Gauls, with a very considerable percentage of the Frankish blood; while Germany was far more barbaric than the other regions. Its people, whether Frank or Saxon, were all pure Teuton, and still spoke in their Teutonic or German tongue.

The Franks themselves, however, did not regard this as a breaking of their empire. They looked on it as merely a family affair, an arrangement made for the convenience of government among the descendants of the great Charles. So firm had been that mighty hero’s grasp upon the national imagination, that the Franks accepted as matter of course that his family should bear rule, and rallied round the various worthless members of it with rather pathetic loyalty, fighting for them one against the other, reuniting and redividing the various fragments of the empire, until the feeble Carlovingian race died out completely.

It is thus evident that there was a strong tendency toward union among the Franks. But there was also an outside influence to disrupt their empire. Charlemagne had not carried far enough their career of conquest. He subdued the Teutons within the limits of Germany, but he did not reach their weaker Scandinavian brethren to the north, the Danes and Norsemen. He chastised the Avars, a vague non-Aryan people east of Germany, but he could not make provision against future Asiatic swarms. He humbled the Arabs in Spain, but he did not break their African dominion. From all these sources, as the Franks grew weaker instead of stronger, their lands became exposed to new invasion.

Medieval Store Frankish Sword Replica Gaul Helmets Medieval Helmets Medieval Armor

The History Boutique’s Medieval Store section offers a product selection of interest to medieval reenactors or medieval collectors of medieval mementos and replicas. Choose from medieval reenactment and medieval theatrical gear, authentic medieval items, medieval collectibles and medieval gifts.

In the time of Charlemagne’s splendid successes it appeared settled that the second of these tendencies was to guide the Teutonic Aryans, that the Europe of the future was to be a single empire, ever pushing out its borders as Rome had done, ever subduing its weaker neighbors, until the “Teutonic peace” should be substituted for the shattered “Roman peace,” soldiers should be needed only for the duties of police, and a whole civilized world again obey the rule of a single man.

Instead of this, the race has since followed a destiny of separation. Europe is divided into many countries, each of them a vast camp bristling with armies and arsenals. Civilization has continued hag-ridden by war even to our own day, and, during at least seven hundred of the years that followed Charlemagne, mankind made no greater progress in the arts and sciences than the ancients had sometimes achieved in a single century. We do indeed believe that at last we have entered on an age of rapid advance, that individualism has justified itself. The wider personal liberty of to-day is worth all that the race has suffered for it. Yet the retardation of wellnigh a thousand years has surely been a giant price to pay.

Medieval Store Battle Ready Medieval Sword Replica Charlemagne Decorative Shield - Armaduras Medievales Charles V Decorative Shield - Armaduras Medievales Classic Medieval Sword

The History Boutique’s Medieval Store section offers a product selection of interest to medieval reenactors or medieval collectors of medieval mementos and replicas. Choose from medieval reenactment and medieval theatrical gear, authentic medieval items, medieval collectibles and medieval gifts.

Prior to the introduction of gunpowder on the battlefield, armies would rely on three types of armed combatants: foot infantry, missile infantry and cavalry. The foot infantry would usually consist of men at arms armed with swords, axes and pole arms, which were effective at close quarter fighting. Missile infantry troops would consist of men armed with sling-shots, bows and arrows and javelins, and were effective at a distance.

With the introduction of gunpowder, armies could now fire high velocity projectiles at greater distances with devastating effects. The earliest projectiles were made of carved stone and early cannons were crude and dangerous to operate but proved to be effective against fortifications and had a powerful psychological effect against the enemy. Innovations in the firing mechanisms allowed infantry to carry these potent weapons into the battlefield which eventually led to a tactical advantage of infantry against mounted knights – effectively ending the armored knight as a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. The advancement of firearms technology in the 18th century created improvements from the matchlock arquebus to the flintlock musket and soon, professional armies drilled and disciplined in the use of these new firearms dominated the battlefield.

Replica Guns Replica Flintlock Pistols Replica Muskets Replica Revolvers Replica Rifles

The introduction of fixed ammunition which combined a primer, pre-measured charge and a projectile further revolutionized the use of guns in the battlefield. Fixed ammunition (bullets) and breach loading guns were widely used in the 1860s and allowed the shooter a greater degree of safety while increasing his rate of fire in the battlefield. Further refinement of firearm technology led to the development of repeating rifles, made famous in the Old West. The introduction of the Gatling Gun during the American Civil War introduced greater carnage in the battlefield, which would ultimately lead to the machine guns of World War I and World

War II. The development of the firearm and the improvements to this technology effectively changed battlefield tactics and strategies throughout history, always at the expense of the infantry man.

It was Lincoln’s leadership, his commitment to values and his strong moral compass that made it possible for the United States to overcome a destructive civil war and then begin the healing process that would eventually lead the nation to become an economic and military world power in the 20th century.

Abraham Lincoln’s two presidential terms from 1860 until his death were shaped by considerable challenges. To overcome the secession of the Southern states and infighting within the North’s political establishment, Lincoln implemented a unique political strategy. One of the little known leadership styles that Lincoln used to his advantage in the organization of his presidency was his appointment of talented national figures from opposing political parties to his cabinet. Lincoln believed he needed close advisors representing opposing viewpoints to prevent his presidency from being characterized as unilateral in its political beliefs and insulated from the American people. By gathering members of the “loyal opposition” into his trusted inner circle, Lincoln maintained a constant awareness of both sides of every issue which ultimately made him a stronger leader.

Abraham Lincoln’s bold opposition to slavery is now considered one of the greatest contributions to United States history and indeed to world history as well. Yet his desire to put an end to slavery despite the popular opinion of his era; made him a political lightning rod for the opposition within the Union and demonized him among the general population of the South. Abraham Lincoln’s stand against slavery however, came at a great price. Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation to permanently end slavery and he followed this legislation with the passing of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments which established the hard won freedoms of the Civil War.

The freedom that was won for so many African Americans in that war permanently enshrined the memory of Abraham Lincoln as one of our greatest presidents in the hearts and minds of all Americans. Today, the monument honoring him on Washington’s National Mall is one of the most revered spots in the nation and one that thousands flock to each year to share their respect for this great president that made liberty and freedom a reality for all Americans, not just a few.

Civil War Store Civil War 3 Band Enfield Musket Civil War Confederate Cannon Ball Display Miniature Civil War Dahlgren Cannon The Civil War Omnibus 1 Histories of the Civil War

The civil war was one of the bloodiest and costliest in the nation’s history in terms of casualties and material and it would take many decades for the United States to recover from the destruction of the American Civil War. The schism between north and south continued for decades even through reconstruction and still influences the political fabric of the United States to this day. In the end, Abraham Lincoln established a lasting legacy as an emancipator and willful president that managed to preserve the Union.

During the reign of the Roman Emperor Va’lens some of the Goths joined a conspiracy against him. Valens punished them for this by crossing the Danube and laying waste their country. At last the Goths had to beg for mercy. The Gothic chief was afraid to set foot on Roman soil, so he and Valens met on their boats in the middle of the Danube and made a treaty of peace.

For a long time the Goths were at war with another tribe of barbarians called Huns. Sometimes the Huns defeated the Goths and drove them to their camps in the mountains. Sometimes the Goths came down to the plains again and defeated the Huns.

At last the Goths grew tired of such constant fighting and thought they would look for new settlements. They sent some of their leading men to the Emperor Valens to ask permission to settle in some country belonging to Rome. The messengers said to the emperor:

“If you will allow us to make homes in the country south of the Danube we will be friends of Rome and fight for her when she needs our help.”

The emperor at once granted this request. He said to the Gothic chiefs:

“Rome always needs good soldiers. Your people may cross the Danube and settle on our land. As long as you remain true to Rome we will protect you against your enemies.”

These Goths were known as Visigoths, or Western Goths. Other tribes of Goths who had settled in southern Russia, were called Ostrogoths, or Eastern Goths.

After getting permission from the Emperor Valens a large number of the Visigoths crossed the Danube with their families and their cattle and settled in the country now called Bulgaria.

In course of time they became a very powerful nation, and in the year 394 they chose as their king one of the chiefs named Al’a-ric. He was a brave man and a great soldier. Even when a child he took delight in war, and at the age of sixteen he fought as bravely as the older soldiers.

One night, not long after he became king, Alaric had a very strange dream. He thought he was driving in a golden chariot through the streets of Rome amid the shouts of the people, who hailed him as emperor. This dream made a deep impression on his mind. He was always thinking of it, and at last he began to have the idea that he could make the dream come true.

“To be master of the Roman Empire,” he said to himself, “that is indeed worth trying for; and why should I not try? With my brave soldiers I can conquer Rome, and I shall make the attempt.”

Ancient Rome Store Lorica Segmentata Roman Scutum Shield - Large Wooden Linen Covered Gallic H - Centurion Roman Helmet Lorica Hamata - Roman Soldier Chainmail

So Alaric called his chiefs together and told them what he had made up his mind to do. The chiefs gave a cry of delight for they approved of the king’s proposal. In those days fighting was almost the only business of chiefs, and they were always glad to be at war, especially when there was hope of getting rich spoils. And so the Visigoth chiefs rejoiced at the idea of war against Rome, for they knew that if they were victorious they would have the wealth of the richest city of the world to divide among themselves.

Soon they got ready a great army. With Alaric in command, they marched through Thrace and Macedonia and before long reached Athens. There were now no great warriors in Athens, and the city surrendered to Alaric. The Goths plundered the homes and temples of the Athenians and then marched to the state of Elis, in the southwestern part of Greece. Here a famous Roman general named Stil’i-cho besieged them in their camp. Alaric managed to force his way through the lines of the Romans and escaped. He marched to Epirus. This was a province of Greece that lay on the east side of the Ionian Sea. Arcadius, the Emperor of the East, now made Alaric governor of this district and a large region lying near it. The whole territory was called Eastern Illyricum and formed part of the Eastern Empire.