The tenth century saw another movement toward the
restoration of law and order. The civilizing work of Charlemagne was taken up
by German kings, not of the old Prankish stock, but belonging to that Saxon
people which had opposed Charlemagne so long and bitterly. Saxony was one of
the five great territorial states, or stem-duchies, as they are usually called,
into which Germany was then divided. [19] Germany at that time extended only as
far east as the river Elbe, beyond which lay the territory occupied by
half-civilized Slavic tribes.
[19] The others were Franconia, Swabia, Bavaria, and
Lorraine.
ELECTIVE KINGSHIP OF GERMANY
The rulers of the stem-duchies enjoyed practical
independence, though they had recognized some king of Germany ever since the
Treaty of Verdun. Early in the tenth century the Carolingian dynasty died out
in Germany, and the German nobles then proceeded to elect their own kings.
Their choice fell first upon Conrad, duke of Franconia, but he had little
authority outside his own duchy. A stronger man was required to keep the peace
among the turbulent nobles and to repel the invaders of Germany. Such a man
appeared in the person of Henry, duke of Saxony, who, after Conrad's death, was
chosen king.
