Henry I, called the Fowler, because he was fond of hunting
birds, spent the greater part of his reign in wars against the Slavs, Magyars,
and other invaders. He conquered from the Slavs the territory afterwards known
as Brandenburg. This country was to furnish Germany, in later centuries, with
its present dynasty—the Hohenzollerns. [20] He occupied the southern part of
Denmark (Schleswig) and Christianized it. He also recovered for Germany
Lorraine, a district which remained in German hands until the eighteenth
century.
[20] The Hohenzollerns became electors of Brandenburg in
1415 A.D., kings of Prussia in 1701, and emperors of Germany in 1871.
REIGN OF OTTO THE GREAT, 936-973 A.D.
Henry the Fowler was succeeded by his son, Otto I, whom
history knows as Otto the Great. He well deserved the title. Like Charlemagne,
Otto presented the aspect of a born ruler. He is described as being tall and
commanding in presence, strong and vigorous of body, and gifted with great
charm of manner. In his bronzed face shone clear and sparkling eyes, and down
his breast hung a long, thick beard. Though subject to violent outbursts of
temper, he was liberal to his friends and just to his foes. Otto was a man of
immense energy and ambition, with a high conception of his duties as a
sovereign. His reign forms one of the most notable epochs in German history.
