Реферат: Einhard

SEQ CHAPTER h r 1Einhard

When one thinks of Carolingian reformation, and thepeople related to it directly the first person that comes to mind is the kingCharles the Great, and along with him one involuntarily thinks of his faithful‘servant’ Einhard because he is the one thatintroduces him to us. But on top of being a simple biographer Einhard has done far more greater things in life, and todayone has the opportunity to study what kind of man Einhardwas, what he’d done during his life, and why is he important through his worksand documents related to him that survived until our time. 9th centurydocuments presented in Charlemagne’sCourtier portray Einhard as a well educatedperson, a talented poet, writer, and artist in different kinds of arts, religious,humble and faithful man, as well as the most prudent and influential courtiersof his time.

One of the most important and prominent figures of EarlyMedieval Europe was the persona of Charles the Great. Charlemagne lived between742 and 814. During the forty-seven years of his kingship, the great warriorking was able, for a short while, to create kingdom of similar in size to thatof the <st1:place w:st=«on»>Western Roman Empire</st1:place>. The greatness of his kingship, however, wasnot in the successful war campaigns or his conquest of several kingdoms, but inthe vision that he had for his peoples and as well as the other peoples of <st1:place w:st=«on»>Europe</st1:place>. Often called ‘an apostle with iron tongue’Charlemagne had seen himself as King David was for the Jewish nation. Hismission and vision were perfectly described in one of his letters to the Pope: “Our task is, with the aid of Divine Piety, todefend the holy <st1:place w:st=«on»><st1:PlaceType w:st=«on»>church</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st=«on»>Christ</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> with armsagainst the attack of Pagans and devastation by infidels from without, and tofortify it within the knowledge of the catholic faith. Your task most HolyFather, is to lift us your hands to God, like Moses, so as to aid our troops,so that through your intercession, the Christian people may with God as itsleader and giver always and everywhere be victorious over the enemies of hishole name, and so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be famousthroughout the world”. King Charle’s mission, theCarolingian Reformation, was to Christianize and educate his kingdom by meansof military force, the restoration of old church documents, and the creation ofeducational institutions.[i]

[ii]‘Oneof the instruments of this reformation was the palace school because of themany great European scholars it housed. Their job was to restore and preservethe early church documents, to guide and support the spread of Christianity. Oneof the noticeable scholars of the court was Einhard’.‘He was born around 770. Einhard studied the Bibleand the classics at the monastery of <st1:City w:st=«on»><st1:place w:st=«on»>Fulda</st1:place></st1:City>. When he was in his twentieshe was recommended by his chief abbot Baugulf toserve in Charlemagne’s court. At court Einhard servedas a courtier to Charles the Great and his son Louis the Pious. Around the yearof 815 Einhard and his wife Emma were granted land atMichelstadt and Mulinheim.As a result of this he became not only a courtier at kings’ courts, but he alsowas a lay abbot. Some of Einhard’s contemporariessuggest that he had become rich along with other poets of Charlemagne’s court.Therefore it is a reasonable assumption to say that Einhardwas a wealthy man. He was a very prominent figure at the court, and it isthanks to this faithful courtier that we have some of the best medieval poetryand writing.’[iii]

There is no doubt that Einhardwas very well educated. ‘Walahfrid Strabo has these things to say on Einhard’seducation and intelligence: “From there Baugulf …sent him to the <st1:place w:st=«on»><st1:PlaceType w:st=«on»>palace</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st=«on»>Charles</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> ….because ofthe specialness of his capacity for learning and hisintelligence. For even in that monastery he had shown great signs of the wisdomthat later on shone forth so clearly from him.”[iv]While at <st1:City w:st=«on»><st1:place w:st=«on»>Fulda</st1:place></st1:City>,it is believed that he studied the Bible and classics.[v]

He new not only Latin, but possibly Greek, the proof of that can be found on one of the letters ofLupus to Einhard in May 836, where Lupus asks forexplanation of some Greek words from the book of Boethius.[vi]

To understand what Einhard’sinterests were one would have to look at the scholarly work he did. Informationsupplied to us by historians, other royal courtiers, and surviving works of Einhard reveal that he was a poet, a writer, and an artist.Maurus who composed “The Epitaph of Einhard” said: “And he was skillful in the art of manythings”. Modoin in his eclogues on poets of his agementions Nard [Einhard’s nickname] in the poem. Thisleaves us with no doubt that Einhard was a poet.[vii]

In documents provided on Einhardone can see that he was into the visual arts.[viii]Paul Dutton raises the question however, of whether Bezaleel(anothername for Einhard) was the mere executor of the worksaccredited to him. It is obvious in the documents provided that in many cases Einhard, just ordered the process. “Einhardmoved in a world of painters, reliquary-makers, tile-makers, royal scribes,organ builders, and palace workmen, and he knew how to use them to advantage.”But it is possible that our view on artists is very different from the view ofthat time. Nevertheless he used his talent, and was accredited for it. PaulDutton provides a detailed drawing of the arc constructed around the time ofCharlemagne that he says “can be connected to Einhardwith confidence”. Einhard according to Dutton usedhis talent of visual arts in the decoration of buildings and churches that werebuilt at the time of Charles the Great.[ix]

It is evident that Einhard was anexpert in the aforementioned types of arts, but it is the authorship of Life of Charlemagne, and The Translation and Miracles of Marcellinus and Peter that brought a great deal ofpopularity for him. In fact Life ofCharlemagne is thought to be one of the masterpieces of ninth century <st1:place w:st=«on»>Europe</st1:place>.[x]This book reveals some of the character traits as well as personality of Einhard. Interestingly enough, Life of Charlemagne does not contain a lot of the facts that weknow about him. This lack of information has raised many questions around thisbook. Another interesting issue about this biography is Einhardscriticism of Charles on small matters, but he fails to criticize him on bigmatters like slaying of thousands of people. Overall the portrait of Charles inLife of Charlemagne is very positive.It hardly contains any of the bad traits of Charlemagne. This once again provesto us that Einhard was a very prudent courtier. Hedidn’t want say anything that may threaten him, and his reputation, for he knewthat others in court will read the biography.[xi]

Einhard displayed his greatintellect, and writing talent in his book TheTranslation and Miracles of Marcellinus and Peter. Thecontent of the book contains records about translation of remains of St. Peterand St. Marcellinus, and the events related to this“enterprise”.[xii]This book is written very carefully in my opinion. Portrait of Einhard is displayed in contrast to the one of Hilduin who stole the relics of the holy martyrs. ”. Inthis book a reader could see Einhard being unusuallycritical, of Hilduin, for a careful and prudentcourtier.[xiii]

But when one starts to analyze it in depth it is easy to realize that Einhard had a reason to be, after all Einhardis portrayed a religious man, he spent a fortune on bringing these relics to Fracia. He portrayed Hilduin inhighly adverse light. A part of the reason why Einhardwrote this book, as Paul Dutton Suggests, was to address the rumors that relicsdid not poses real power of saints due to separation.[xiv]That may explain why there are so many stories of miracles in the book. Thussumming up aforementioned, Einhard using his prudenceand the power of the word, which definitely possessed, strengthened his ownreputation, as a preserver of the relics, while weakened that of Hilduin, and he also was able to regain people’s trust inmartyrs.

Looking at Einhard’s career onecan see that he assumed a lot of different roles. Einhard was a highadvisor of both Charlemagne and Louis the Pious. He was also a lay abbot of propertiesin Michelstadt, and Seligenstadt.Einhard’s contemporaries describe him to be alwaysbusy, and preoccupied with the court’s business, running around with books.“The letters show us Einhard acting as an agent ofthe emperor, as a local patron, as a lay abbot, as the holder of properties, asan influential referee, as a marriage broker, and as an intellectual friend.”[xv]In the court of Charlemagne we see Einhard beinginvolved in different high state affairs. One of those was Charlmange’spartition of the kingdom among his sons. RoyalFrankish Annals states: “All these things were set down in writing andconveyed by Einhard to Pope Leo III, so that he mightassent to them with his own signature”[xvi]

Another time Eihanrd took part in state business withCharles was in 813 at the diet of Aachan when hespoke in favor of elevating of Louis the Pious to co-emperor status. As Ermold the Black recorded it Einhardcharacterized Louis the Pious as a very able person for king’s throng: “….Youhave a son with an extremely fine character, who, because of his merits, isable to hold your kingdoms.”[xvii]These are the two times when Einhard’s officiallyinvolved in making of Frankish history, although it wasn’t a big part heplayed. But if we look at the writing of fellow courtiers it is evident that heand the king were very close.[xviii]It may be possible that this close friendship that they both shared might haveshaped Charlemagne’s decisions. It is only an idea, which is not evident andnot necessarily true, but nevertheless should be considered when one’sanalyzing position of Einhard in the court of Charlesthe Great. Thus it may well be a fair assumption to say that Einhard did have a bit of influence and power in that courtwhen compared to other courtiers.

During the reign of Louis the Pious Einhardand his wife Emma received properties from the emperor in the year of 815, as areward for his services to both emperors.[xix]As a lay abbot he was often preoccupied with the maters like building churchesand legal issues. One could see him at court only at certain times of the yearto perform duties he usually did with the emperor Charles the Great. On top ofthese duties, it is also believed that Einhard’swritings were done outside of court, most likely when he was at his residences.Perhaps it was the health problems that he had, that made him spent certaintimes of the year in his residences, but never the less he still participatedin Louis the Pious government.[xx]

Another responsibility of Einhard at Louis the Piouscourt was to tutor and guard Louis’ son Lothar,though in one of the letters it is clear that the emperor to be wasn’t toohappy of this, and thus this tutorship did not prevent the rebuke of Charles’grandchildren against their father.[xxi]

Analyzing Einhard’s personalityis no easy task. For in his correspondence there are only a few that actuallytalk about his personal life. Einhard did not trustthe communication through letters, one can especially see his position onreporting important information via letters in his message to a certain R. inwhich Einhard says that letter will reveal all of theinformation in it if it got into wrong hands, but a loyal messenger will not,even if he’s tortured.[xxii]Looking at this very trait of Einhard one canconclude that he was a very careful man. But the main characteristic of Einhard is that he was very prudent. The Astronomer callshim “the most prudent man of his time”.[xxiii]

The proof of this extraordinary prudence maybe found in the fact that Einhard new how to deal with people. He knew just when tobe bold with people, and criticize them, in a way that will profit him andleave him with spotless reputation. Also he knew when to be patient, and notoffend people. For example in the documents collected we see just a few caseswhen he actually does criticize someone, but he has the grounds to do so.

Faithfulness and loyalty was the quality of Einhard that made and still makes people to respect him.When one looks at Einhard’s life, as portrayed by thedocuments we have, one can’t find even one that suggests the opposite. In fact Einhard first of all demonstrated faithfulness to the kingshe served. To show his great loyalty, faithfulness and appreciation to hisking, Einhard wrote a beautiful biography called The Life of Charlemagne. Einhard also speaks with love, and loyalty to Louis, in oneof his letters to Louis’ sons. He says: “I have always equally loved you and mymost pious lord, your father, and have always equally wished for the well-beingof both of you.” Another point that greatly suggests that Eihardwas a faithful man was his strong belief in Christianity and upholding ofcommandments. Not only did he follow the commandments he also built churchesand brought the holy martyrs to Francia.[xxiv]

As was mentioned before Einhardwas faithful and loyal to his kings. He spoke with love of both of them.Looking at the documents presented to us, one can argue that Einhard was closer with Charlemagne, it is his biographythat he write, and it is his deeds that he praises the most. And Ermold the Black said: “….Einhard,who was much loved by Charles….”[xxv]We cannot find such kind and warm word to describe relationship of Louis thePious and Einhard in any of the reflection on Einhard. But that doesn’t mean that they had a badrelationship. They just weren’t as close as with Charles. We can find EInhard praising Louis of his ability to rule the kingdom,and we can also find Einhard claiming to love Louis.And on the part of Louis, he granted lots of land to Einhard,and praised him for his valuable service. Thus there’s no doubt that Einhard had a good and working relationship with bothemperors.[xxvi]

Looking at the life of Einhardone gets a sense that the topic of religion in his life became more and moreimportant as he progressed in age. The fact that two of his later works, Translation and Miracles and his letter“On the Adoration of the Cross” to Lupus are both on religious topic seem tosupport that theory. Although it was closer towards the later years of his lifethat he had much to say about religion, it is certain that he perceived theworld as a ‘good Christian’ for the all of his life. But it seems like towardsthe end of his life he started to spend more time on meditating upon thewonders he saw, and theological questions he might have had. We can find proofof his devotion to religion in his big investment of building churches andtransport of relics of saints-which was a costly enterprise. He also paid closeattention to the signs and prophecies he received, and whenever was necessaryhe fasted at times for days. Summing up there’s no doubt that Einhard was a very spiritual man, he was very committed tohis faith, and it was a big part of his life.

Summarizing the aforementioned argument indeed 9th Century documents presented inCharlemagne’s Courtier portray Einhard as a well educated person, a talented poet, writer,and artist in different kinds of arts, religious, humble and faithful man, aswell as the most prudent and influential courtiers of his time. We discussed Einhards personality, his responsibilities at differentcourts, and what they offered to him, his beliefs, and interests, and hisrelationship to the two kings he served. Einhard wasa person with a wide variety of interests, strong religious beliefs, and faithfulcharacter. He is important to the Medieval Europe, because he was one of thefaithful courtiers that carried out Carolingian reformation.

Endnotes:

[i]

Dr. Joyce Lorimer, “The Achievements of Charlemagne”, HI 101, <st1:place w:st=«on»><st1:PlaceName w:st=«on»>Wilfrid</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st=«on»>Laurier</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=«on»>University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,<st1:date Month=«10» Day=«27» Year=«2004» w:st=«on»>October 27, 2004</st1:date>

Dr. Joyce Lorimer, “CarolingianRenaissance”, HI 101, Wilfrid Laurier University,November 1, 2004

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, (Peterborough, Ontario, Broadview Press, 2003), pg. xi

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, Pg. 8

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, pg.xi

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, pg. 182

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, pg. 3

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, pg.63-68

Paul Edward Dutton, Charlemagne’s Courtie, rpg. xiii

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, pg. xx

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’s Courtier”, pg.15-62

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’sCourtier”, pg. 69-130

Paul Dutton, “Charlemagne’s Courtier”, 83-89