Charlemagne’s Cousins: Contemporary Lives of Adalard and Wala

Translated, with Introduction and Notes, by Allen Cabaniss. Translation of "Vita sancti Adalhardi", and "Vita Walae seu Epitaphium Arsenii". Adalard and Wala, subjects of the two ninth-century "Vitae" here translated, were half-brothers, first cousins of Emperor Charlemagne. Unable to serve Charles’s second queen, Adalard abandoned court for the monastery at Corbie, where he eventually became abbot. In his administrative duties as head of a great monastery and member of the royal family, Adalard earned high esteem for his virtues and peacemaking facility. The younger brother, Wala, rose from early disfavor to a station second only to the emperor. His position involved not only stewardship of the imperial household but administration of justice and leadership in battle. Until Charles’s death Adalard and Wala exercised strong and enviable, perhaps inordinate, influence on their imperial cousin’s court. The succession of Charles’s son Louis brought a temporary eclipse to the brothers’ fortunes. Under Louis’s distrust Adalard was banished and Wala sought refuge in monastic life at Corbie. On their return to favor, the monks worked to establish a daughter-monastery, New Corvey. With Adalard’s death Wala, much loved and admired, was elected abbot of Corbie. At the same time, the energetic Wala was "a true courtier," a constant adviser to Louis, a reluctant accomplice in conspiracy and revolt. The biographies of these two were written primarily as personal tributes to the memory of revered fathers in God, for the edification of posterity. Today, however, they are valuable for their unique glimpses of life in a ninth-century monastery, expressions of attitudes toward the times, and unusually vivid pictures of contemporary figures. Their author, Paschasius Radbertus, took vows under Adalard at Corbie, where he also came to know Wala intimately. Although the bulk of his writing is scriptural commentary, Radbertus is best known for his treatise on the body and blood of Christ, the first systematic study of Eucharistic doctrine. Professor Cabaniss’ translation, the first to appear in English, preserves both the rhetoric and the warmth of Radbertus’ style. In his detailed Introduction and Notes, Cabaniss points out many allusions and parallels to Christian and pagan classics.