MONASTERIES IN WESTPHALIA
The main corridor for travellers running from east to west and connecting the Harz region lower Rhine comprised several roads that ran roughly between Lippe Ruhr rivers (see Map 7). Although not only road through this region, most important road, called Hellweg, bore great majority of traffic was preferred route Saxon Salian kings. This which appears have had a pre-Carolingian, but Roman origin, gained significantly in importance as military Charlemagne during wars later, after Saxony became part realm, Rhineland Saxony. But its period greatest use highest by far came tenth eleventh centuries under Ottonian emperors, who traversed it again travelling Aachen Rhine. In fact, greater early period, reign Otto I until approximately uprising Henry IV, these rulers made at least yearly east–west when they were Italy or on foreign campaign. Therefore, Ottonians took over completed system Carolingian fortresses southern Westphalia along Hellweg itself, time established, conjunction with royal churches their loyal vassals stable stopping places provision centres road.
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