Einhard’s account of the great king. Einhard recalls to readers of the many battles and the many enemies that Charlemagne fought and won. The only thing that seems to linger is how much of Einhard’s account is reliable, and how much is made up. Did Einhard add in “details” to make Charlemagne a heroic man versus a rather ambiguous leader who made both moral and immoral decisions when war is involved? In my paper, I want to explore the evidence that suggests Einhard glorifies war in order to make Charlemagne
The book Two Lives of Charlemagne contains two different biographies. The first version is titled ‘The Life of Charlemagne’ and is written by Einhard. The second version is titled ‘The deeds of Charlemagne’ and composed by Notker the Stammerer. Both of these works were written in Latin and then later translated to English and other European languages. While these two biographies are medieval classics, they differ in their focus and point of view. I find it interesting that the two texts could be
Einhard was a courtier in Charlemagne’s Frankish Kingdom. During Charlemagne’s rule/life (768-824), he dedicated a vast amount of time and energy into supporting the notions of classical learning. He went so far as to start a school comprised of many scholars within his palace. Their role was to educate the nobility, the priesthood and the people, as well as hold counsel with the king. This is where Einhard and Charlemagne first encountered each other. Einhard was a small but intelligent man who
Einhard--- having received a solid education in biblical studies and Latin classics, at monastery whose founder was closely tied to the Carolingians--- came to serve under Charlemagne--- Charles the Great, in English--- when the writer was quite young. Growing up in his servitude, Einhard gained a strong admiration for the king, practicing a kind of hero-worship. Charlemagne was more than a king; he was a king of kings, strong, dependable, wise and worthy. In Einhard’s eyes, he could do no wrong
shall first give an account of his deeds at home and abroad, then of his character and pursuits, and lastly of his administration and death, omitting nothing worth knowing or necessary to know.” – Einhard, The Life of Charlemagne Charlemagne—Charles, King of the Franks—obviously has a fan in Einhard. His powerful work, The Life of Charlemagne, details the king’s life from the building of his empire, through the education of his children, and culminating in his final living words: the division
This was not unusual for a king such as Charlemagne and Einhard speaks about Charlemagne’s father and grandfather also pursuing similar military careers. This shows a great deal about the type of society that existed during the middle ages. Today warfare is abhorred and generally only condoned as the last possible
The collection Two Lives of Charlemagne contains two different biographies of Charlemagne who was a king of the Franks and a christian emperor of the West in the 8th century. The first biographical account was written by his courtier Einhard who knew him personally and well. On the other hand, the second account was penned by Notker the Stammerer was born twenty-five years after the king’s death. Even though these two versions indicate the same king’s life, there were many differences between the
St. Gall, and in a positive way by Einhard. Einhard was very close to Charlemagne. He lived at the same time and with Charlemagne himself. His version of “The Life of Charlemagne” was writing right after his death. The Monk of St. Gall wrote his version more than 70 years after Charlemagne’s death. He did not live with or even at the same time as Charlemagne. This is probably one of the reasons the view on the ruler are completely different. The reason Einhard wrote his biography of Charlemagne
food during Lent and doing certain processes in order that he does not break the fasting code (). Charlemagne is described with many adjectives of his behavior. Einhard and Notker seem to both establish he is a man that did care for the nature of his kingdom. It is noted that Einhard elaborates more on the personal life of Charlemagne. Einhard personally knew the family of Charlemagne. Notker on the other hand, often mentions people that Charlemagne appointed during his reign. Charlemagne accomplishes
is described by Janet Nelson as being a role model for Einhard. Einhard himself writes in the first paragraph of The Life of Charlemagne, “After I decided to write about the life, character and no small part of the accomplishments of my lord and foster father, Charles, that most excellent and deservedly famous king, I determined to do so with as much brevity as I could.” I feel that these are sincere words about the man who cared for Einhard. I feel that Einhard’s purpose for writing The Life of
leaders who were known for their great rule. One of these great men during the 8th century was Charlemagne. The Life of Charlemagne was written by Einhard, a Frankish elite who had the privilege of working in the courts of Charlemagne. The book did not come out till after Charlemagne’s death but, it goes through his life in a thematic fashion. Einhard sets the book by first addressing deeds, habits, and then administration. This writing was one of the first of its kind. While there were many biographies
Any woman that is a relative of Charlemagne is regarded highly by Einhard. Charlemagne’s mother, sister and daughters are written about with the highest respect. They are portrayed as honorable, calm women who never caused any trouble. Charlemagne’s Bertrada, despite being a woman, was highly active in politics. Bertrada seemed to favor Charlemagne over her son other son Carloman. Her diplomatic skills may have helped Charlemagne’s success in his early years. She even arranged a marriage with Desiderius’
The Two Lives of Charlamagne is a compilation of two biographies written by Einhard and Notker. Each version of Charlamagne’s life is very different and shows to very unique men. Many Historians have speculated which of the two accounts is most accurate and it is really unclear which could be the most accurate account. Today I will discuss the similarities and differences in Einhard and Notker’s accounts and my questions about the novel. My first question about the novel is, who put these two accounts
The two lives of Charlemagne as told by Einhard and Notker are two medieval sources about the accounts of the life Charlemagne. Modern sources by Matthew Innes and Rosamond Mckitterick discuss how history was recorded during the medieval period and how it was suppose to be viewed in the early ages. Observing each of these sources helps get an understanding of how the writing of history is important in recorded history and how it affected how the history of Charlemagne was recorded. Writing history
Charlemagne The two lives of Charlemagne as told by Einhard and Notker the Stammerer are very different accounts of the life of the great Emperor. Einhard gives us a historical overview of the life of Charlemagne who lived from 742 to 814 A.D. Charlemagne was also known as Charles the Great and the King of the Franks.Charles was one of four children born to Pepin the Short, A Mayor of the Palace of the Carolingian Empire. He had one brother, Carloman and two sisters, Gisela and Pepin.Since women
Charlemagne’s humility shows through Einhard’s telling of his life. Some of the evidence that Einhard provides is more subtle and through other parts of his life. The best example of this is the description of Charlemagne’s piety. A notable example would be his charity to the poor. One of his motives of establishing good foreign relations was to be
arose called the Carolingian empire. The Carolingian empire was established when Charlemagne was coronated and received the crown to become king. As the empire grew stronger and bigger the mistakes and cracks in the foundation started to appear. Einhard, the Life of Charlemagne will be a source in this essay. The General Capitulary for the Missi will be examined in this essay. This essay will inspect Nithard, The History of the Sons of Louis the Pious as a source. Select Feudal Documents will be
...November 21, 1999. http://www.encyclopedia.com “Alcuin”. The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. III. Robert Appleton Company, New York. 1908. “Carolingian Schools”. The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. III. Robert Appleton Company, New York. 1908. Einhard. The Life of Charlemagne. S.E. Turner, trans. Harper and Brothers; New York, 1880. Knox, Skip “Charlemagne”. History of Western Civilization. Boise State University. August 27, 1999. November 18, 1999. http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/charles/01
we do have an idea of what he did and how he lived thanks to those who decided to preserve it. The two most popular primary sources available are going to be the works published in The Two Lives of Charlemagne: The Life of Charlemagne written by Einhard and The Deeds of Charlemagne written by Notker the Stammerer. In addition to these The Capitulary of Charlemagne is also available and helps to provide a more political background to Charlemagne. You can also go a bit more in depth to find some primary
Einhard, in his account of Charlemagne, and Ibn Battuta, in his account of Mansa Sulaiman, give witness to the way these two kings ruled their lands and provide an insight on how culture has an effect on people’s views of their leaders. Although each one lived in different cultures, each ruler embodied similar characteristics, such as the influence of religion on their realms. However, there are several distinct differences as well, and each narrative contains cultural bias that cannot be ignored