Famous Men of the Middle Ages · Ch. XIV · Unit 5: Northmen, Danes and Saxons
21. Henry the Fowler
Goal: Your child can tell how Henry the Fowler was chosen king of Germany, how he used a truce to get ready, and how he beat the Magyars.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- A map of Europe and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
- Paper and colored pencils
- Your timeline strip (see the tips at the top)
What's in the book
Chapter XIV (919-936 A.D.): Charlemagne's empire has fallen to pieces. Dying King Conrad advises the German nobles to elect his old enemy, Henry, duke of Saxony. The messenger finds Henry hunting with falcons in the Hartz Mountains. Henry captures the Magyar king's son and trades him for a nine-year truce, paying gold each year while he trains horsemen and builds forts. Then he refuses to pay and routs the Magyars. His son Otto takes the title of Emperor; the Holy Roman Empire lasts until 1806.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
Find Germany and the Harz Mountains (the book spells them Hartz) in the middle of it. Then find Hungary to the southeast. Say: The Magyars came from there; Hungarians still call themselves Magyars.
Read the chapter
Read Chapter XIV aloud. It begins:
About a hundred years had passed since the death of Charlemagne, and his great empire had fallen to pieces.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- Why was Henry so surprised to be chosen?
- Why was he called the Fowler?
- What deal did he make with the Magyar king?
- What did he do during the nine years of truce?
A word from history
SayA falcon is a hunting bird. People trained falcons to sit on their wrist, fly at ducks or partridges, and bring them down. Hunting this way is called falconry. A fowler is a bird-catcher.
Talk it over
Read Henry's words about Conrad:
King Conrad was a good man. I know it now; and I am sorry that I did not understand him better when he was alive.
Ask:
- Conrad chose the best man even though he was his enemy. What does that say about Conrad?
- Henry paid the Magyars gold for nine years. Was that weak, or clever?
Remember it
Add to the timeline: "919 Henry the Fowler elected king of Germany." Say: His son Otto took the title of Emperor. The "Holy Roman Empire" lasted until 1806.
Afterwards
Ask your child to explain why Henry's truce was a clever plan.
Tip
If you can find a video of a falconer flying a hawk or falcon, it brings this chapter to life.
Answers to the book's problems
King Conrad had been a Frank and Henry's bitter enemy. He loved hunting birds with falcons. He would give back the king's son if the Magyars left Germany and kept peace for nine years, and he would pay five thousand pieces of gold a year. He trained a strong force of horsemen, drilled the foot soldiers, and built and strengthened forts. It was clever: he bought time to get ready.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.