Two Lives Of Charlemagne

The life of Charlemagne by Einhard. Charlemagne by Notker the stammerer.

Einhard's Life of Charlemagne is an absorbing chronicle of one of the most powerful and dynamic of all medieval rulers, written by a close friend and adviser. In elegant prose it describes Charlemagne's personal life, details his achievements in reviving learning and the arts, recounts his military successes and depicts one of the defining moments in European history: Charlemagne's coronation as emperor in Rome on Christmas Day 800AD. By contrast, Notker's account, written some decades after Charlemagne's death, is a collection of anecdotes rather than a presentation of historical facts.

This splendid edition contains both ancient biographies of Charles the Great by Einhard and the Monk of St. Gall, edited, translated and introduced by Arthur James Grant. Charlemagne is often termed the father of modern Europe, in that he implemented the earliest foundations of Germany, France, Holland and Belgium. Demonstrating great talents in both war and peace, Charles the Great was able to unite much of Europe to an extent unseen since the time of the Roman Empire. Although Charlemagne only reigned for fourteen years, his actions while on the Frankish throne were of far-ranging consequence. His wars against the Saxons, his expedition into Muslim Spain, and his strengthening of relations with the Papacy of Rome helped solidify Christianity within the European continent. Although his reign was violent, it ushered in civilization to Europe via unification of its peoples.

Charles I, often known as Charlemagne, is one of the most extraordinary figures ever to rule an empire. Driven by unremitting physical energy and intellectual curiosity, he was a man of many parts, a warlord and conqueror, a judge who promised 'for each their law and justice', a defender of the Latin Church, a man of flesh-and-blood. In the twelve centuries since his death, warfare, accident, vermin, and the elements have destroyed much of the writing on his rule, but a remarkable amount has survived. Janet Nelson's wonderful new book brings together everything we know about Charles, sifting through the available evidence, literary and material, to paint a vivid portrait of the man and his motives. Charles's legacy lies in his deeds and their continuing resonance, as he shaped counties, countries, and continents, founded and rebuilt towns and monasteries, and consciously set himself up not just as King of the Franks, but as the head of the renewed Roman Empire. His successors--in some ways even up to the present day--have struggled to interpret, misinterpret, copy, or subvert his legacy.

"Translations of ninth-century lives of the emperors Charlemagne (by Einhard and Notker) and his son Louis the Pious (by Ermoldus, Thegan, and the Astronomer). Presented chronologically and contextually, with commentary"--Provided by publisher.

This splendid edition contains both ancient biographies of Charles the Great by Einhard and the Monk of St. Gall, edited, translated and introduced by Arthur James Grant. Charlemagne is often termed the father of modern Europe, in that he implemented the earliest foundations of Germany, France, Holland and Belgium. Demonstrating great talents in both war and peace, Charles the Great was able to unite much of Europe to an extent unseen since the time of the Roman Empire. Although Charlemagne only reigned for fourteen years, his actions while on the Frankish throne were of far-ranging consequence. His wars against the Saxons, his expedition into Muslim Spain, and his strengthening of relations with the Papacy of Rome helped solidify Christianity within the European continent. Although his reign was violent, it ushered in civilization to Europe via unification of its peoples.

Written between the mid-fourth and late sixth centuries to commemorate and glorify the achievements of early Christian saints, these six biographies depict men who devoted themselves to solitude, poverty and prayer. Athanasius records Antony's extreme seclusion in the Egyptian desert, despite temptation by the devil and visits from his followers. Jerome also shows those who fled persecution or withdrew from society to pursue lives of chastity and asceticism in his accounts of Paul of Thebes, Hilarion and Malchus. In his Life of Martin, Sulpicius Severus describes the achievements of a man who combined the roles of monk, bishop and missionary, while Gregory the Great tells of Benedict, whose Rule became the template for monastic life. Full of vivid incidents and astonishing miracles, these Lives have provided inspiration as models for centuries of Christian worship.

The year is A.D. 781. King Charles of the Franks is crossing the Alps with his family and court on a journey to meet with Pope Hadrian. One frosty night he speaks to his young son Carl: When we come to Rome you will know that I am naming you my heir. One day you will rule over all my lands. . . . But the King already had an heir, Pepin the Hunchback, mockingly called Gobbo. Was he to be dispossessed? Yet Carl sees that Charlemagne is determined to do what he feels is best to serve God and Europe.