2-715-071 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Charlemagne destroys a pagan idol, (1936). 'Sturz Der Irmensäule Durch Karl Den Grossen', 772 AD. According to medieval sources, Charlemagne, King of the Franks (742-814 AD) destroyed an Irminsul (a sacred pillar-like object) during the Saxon Wars. Irminsuls played an important role in Germanic paganism. Charlemagne carried out a policy of forcilble Christianization on penalty of death. From "Bilder Deutscher Geschichte", (Pictures of German History), No.12, cigarette card album. [Cigaretten-Bilderdienst, Altona-Bahrenfeld, Hamburg, Germany, 1936]