THE SCENE: Widukind of Corvey provides a glowing obituary for Henry the Fowler, who founded the Ottonian dynasty that formed the basis for an early German state. The picture that emerges is one of a king who valued excellence in all the realms of his life.
THE TEXT: For he was that kind of a king, that he denied nothing to his friends. And when it came to a question of extolling his own people, rarely or almost never did he fail to promote any candidate in any part of Saxony to public office or official position, or quaestorship. And while he was endowed with great prudence and wisdom, he had also an impressive stature, adding great honor to the royal dignity. In martial games likewise he excelled all others to such a degree as to inspire terror in the rest. In hunting he was most keen, and on one occasion he caught forty or more wild animals; and although at the banquet he was jovial enough, he never diminished anything of his regal demeanor; for he inspired in his solders such favor and fear alike that even when at play they did not allow themselves to descend to any insolence.
– The Deeds of the Saxons, Widukind of Corvey, 10th Century AD
