121-129.] [Footnote 104: M.Gaillard (tom.iii.p.

372) fixes the true stature of Charlemagne (see a Dissertation of Marquard Freher ad calcem Eginhart, p.

220, &c.) at five feet nine inches of French, about six feet one inch and a fourth English, measure.

The romance writers have increased it to eight feet, and the giant was endowed with matchless strength and appetite: at a single stroke of his good sword Joyeuse, he cut asunder a horseman and his horse; at a single repast, he devoured a goose, two fowls, a quarter of mutton, &c.] That empire was not unworthy of its title; [105] and some of the fairest kingdoms of Europe were the patrimony or conquest of a prince, who reigned at the same time in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Hungary.
[106] I.The Roman province of Gaul had been transformed into the name and monarchy of France; but, in the decay of the Merovingian line, its limits were contracted by the independence of the Britons and the revolt of Aquitain.

Charlemagne pursued, and confined, the Britons on the shores of the ocean; and that ferocious tribe, whose origin and language are so different from the French, was chastised by the imposition of tribute, hostages, and peace.