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Famous Men of The Middle AgesLike his father and the other "do-nothing" kings, Childeric cared more for pleasures and amusements than for affairs of government. Pepin was the real ruler, and after a while he began to think that he ought to have the title of king, as he had all the power and did all the work of governing and defending the kingdom. So he sent some friends to Rome to consult the Pope. They said to His Holiness: "Holy father, who ought to be the king of France — the man who has the title, or the man who has the power and does all the duties of king?" "Certainly, " replied the Pope, "the man who has the power and does the duties." "Then, surely, " said they, "Pepin ought to be the king of the Franks; for he has all the power." The Pope gave his consent, and Pepin was crowned king of the Franks; and thus the reign of Childeric ended and that of Pepin began. During nearly his whole reign Pepin was engaged in war. Several times he went to Italy to defend the Pope against the Lombards . These people occupied certain parts of Italy , including the province still called Lombardy ...» |
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