Translated with an Introduction by Lewis Thorpe.
These two 'Lives' provide a fascinating contrast. Einhard, who spent twenty-three years in Charlemagne's service, chose to approach his 'Vita Caroli' as a public history and, in beautifully expressed language, recounts Charlemagne's personal life and his achievements in warfare, learning, art, building, and in the skilful administration of the state.
Notker the monk's 'De Carolo Magno' is a collection of anecdotes rather than a presentation of historical facts, and his main delight seems to stem from the ingenious ways in which Charlemagne subdued proud o corrupt bishops and other men of power. In these stories, which merge into fiction, Charlemagne is already half-way to becoming the legendary figure of the epics in the later Middle Ages.
Author(s): Einhard, Notker the Stammerer, Einhardus, Notcerus Balbulus, Lewis Thorpe (transl.)
Series: Penguin Classics
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 1969
Language: English
Pages: 240
City: Harmondsworth
Introduction i
1. Charlemagne, King and Emperor 1
2. Einhard the Frank 12
3. The 'Vita Caroli' of Einhard 15
4. The stammering Monk of Saint Gall 21
5. The 'De Carolo Magno' of Notker the Stammerer, Monk of Saint Gall 27
Map of the territory inherited by Charlemagne and Carloman in 768 43
Genealogy 44
Einhard: THE LIFE OF CHARLEMAGNE
Walahfrid Strabo's Prologue 49
Einhard's Introduction 51
Book I: The Early Carolingians 55
Book II: The Wars and Political Affairs of Charlemagne 59
Book III: The Emperor's Private Life 73
Book IV: The Emperor’s Last Years and Death 83
Book V: Charlemagne’s Last Will and Testament 87
Notker the Stammerer, Monk of Saint Gall: CHARLEMAGNE
Book I: The Piety of Charlemagne and his Care of the Church 93
Book II: The Wars and the Military Exploits of Charlemagne 135
Notes to the Introduction 173
Notes to 'The Life of Charlemagne' by Einhard 180
Notes to 'Charlemagne' by Notker the Stammerer 189
Bibliography 201
Index 203
