Father Rhine tells: Charlemagne‘s

Favourite Daughter

Between me, the River Rhine and my neighbour, the Main,

there live a lot of different peoples with their own myths

and legends which I all remember, also if they are

very, very old ...

One of these peoples is called the Francs of which Charles was

king a long time ago. He had children from five different

women because he was not satisfied with just one. His daughter Emma was his

favourite child, that‘s why she grew up in her father‘s castle ...

... which Charles built on my bank. The teacher of Emma, Einhart, was

King Charles‘ advisor who was a young, intelligent and handsome man. Charles trusted him very much, but the only time Einhart

misused this trust, he had to pay for it a lot: When Emma grew up, Einhart and she fell in love with each other although they knew

Charles wouldn‘t approve this ...

Late at night ... Einhart, it rained so much! My

father will see that you have

been in my chamber if you walk through this mud. I‘ll have to carry

you!

Oh yes, you‘re right, Emma! I would leave footprints in the mud

if I walk from your chamber to mine ...

When the king can‘t sleep because of the full moon, he hears the voices of Emma and Einhart and walks towards the window.

No – this can‘t be! I don‘t believe it! Einhart is only a commoner and

not good enough for Emma! But I can‘t go

downstairs now, I don‘t want to ruin her life!

I have to think of something else...

Why is my favourite daughter

carrying a man ? What‘s this supposed to

mean?

The next morning:What does a daughter of royal blood deserve,

in whose chamber a man spends the night?

Milord, please have mercy upon your

daughter! It‘s me who deserves the death!

Emma, who has overheared them, rushes into the room:

Father, please! He means so

much to me. More than the whole world!!!

Hmm ... I can‘t seperate the loving. But I have to banish

you from here. Exchange your rings

and take my blessing. Then go as far as your legs

can carry you!

The years passed by and Charles became emperor, now

he was known as Charlemagne. His hair had

turned grey and his heart had become lonely. His only

pleasure was hiking through forests and fields. One day, he

walked and walked, until he had reached the river Main.

Oh no! It‘s already very dark! Where am I? I think I‘ve lost my way ...

Follow me, I can lead you to a

house!

Who is that? Show

yourself!

It‘s me, the Main, to your

right!

Thank you, Main! There really is a

cottage!

Oh, there‘s a light!

He knocks.

It‘s very kind of you

that you give me a place to

stay!

I think I‘ve already

seen him ...

What‘s your name,

dear?

She reminds me of my Emma when she

was small ... That was such a long time

ago. What might have happened to

her?

My name is Emma!

Emma! Einhart! I missed you so

much!

This can‘t be true! Finally, we‘re united again:

Emma, my beloved daughter, Einhart, my old advisor and

me!

Charlemagne took his family again to his castle and he instructed

Einhart to write down his biography. This does exist until today. Where he had met the

couple, he built a cathedral. In this cathedral, you can visit Einhart and

Emma‘s graves. There they lie, united still in death.

Cathedral in Seligenstadt

The End!