Car rental Gerolzhofen, Germany

The Story of Der Willem II

This article is a short overview of one of the most important, yet most under-rated works of German literature: Der Gerolzhofen. This is the story of the man who is responsible for the downfall of the Roman Empire: Der Willem II. As with many great works of literature and history, Der Willem II's reign was quite a colourful one.

During Willem's reign the Roman Empire, known at the time as the provinces of the German Nation, was torn apart by civil war. The provinces of the German Nation were to be controlled by the German Emperor, and the provinces of the Roman Empire were to be controlled by the Emperor's rival. In accordance with the political situation at the time, the Emperor Willem II divided his empire into two parts: the Western Empire (the provinces of the German Nation), and the Eastern Empire (the provinces of the Roman Empire). The eastern Empire was to include the provinces of the German Nation as well as the provinces of Asia Minor. This division was not accepted by the Emperor, and the provinces of the German Nation were subsequently included in the Eastern Empire.

The Emperor did not welcome the division of the empire into two parts. The provinces of the German Nation suffered a great deal during the period of his rule, and the fact that his rival ruled from there was a severe deterrent against expansion. The provinces of the Roman Empire also suffered greatly under the rule of the rival claimant, but in the end the provinces of the Roman Empire succeeded, and their Emperor was able to fully rule over the whole of his territory. Although Willem and the Emperor did have differing views about what they wanted for their respective territories, the Emperor was able to take full control of both territories, and they enjoyed great success.

For most of the period in question, Der Willem lived in exile in the Netherlands, but he did visit Germany at least once. At the time of his first visit to Germany he had been declared bankrupt, and so he was unable to pay taxes. His next visit to Germany was to request an audience with the Emperor, but when the Emperor heard the claim he refused to meet with him. He told him that if he could not pay taxes he should leave his possessions and go to a country where he would be able to pay taxes. The Emperor's refusal caused Der Willem to feel quite bitter towards the Emperor, but he also began to see how the Emperor's political position was dependent on the support of his rival.

On his third visit to Germany, which took place in around AD 990, Der Willem returned to see the Emperor to ask forgiveness for his earlier behaviour, and request that the Emperor meet with him again. When the Emperor refused, he left the city in disgrace and travelled to France, in order to avoid being arrested. Although the Emperor had not met with him before, the Emperor did not refuse to meet with him any more because of this, and so Der Willem travelled back to Germany.

The story of Der Willem's journey to Germany and his subsequent imprisonment, his escape, his return, and his execution by the rival Emperor, reveals a great deal about the nature of political power and its effects on the lives of the rulers of the time. A good read all around, and an entertaining one at that!