Einhard
 |
Einhard as scribe |
Einhard (also
Eginhard or
Einhart) (born about 775 in the valley of the
River Main, died
March 14,
840, at
Seligenstadt,
Germany) was a
Frankish historian and a dedicated servant of
Charlemagne. He is the writer of the
Royal Frankish Annals.
He wrote a number of works, the most famous of which was produced at the request of Charlemagne's son and successor
Louis the Pious. Einhard wrote a
biography of Charlemagne, the
Vita Karoli Magni or
Life of Charlemagne (c. 817–830), which provides much direct information about Charlemagne's life and character. In composing this he made full use of the Frankish Royal annals. Einhard's literary model was the classical work of the Roman historian
Suetonius, the
Lives of the Caesars. His work is biased in the sense that it was written as a praise of Charlemagne—he glossed over certain issues which would be of
embarrassment to Charlemagne (such as the morality of his daughters), and we are not necessarily to believe that Charlemagne was really a
giant. However, in comparison to other contemporary sources it appears to be a fairly accurate description of events.
Einhard was from the eastern part of the Frankish kingdom, the portion that is still
German speaking. He was educated at
Fulda which was one of the most impressive centres of learning in the Frankish lands. He was accepted into the court of Charlemagne around 791 or 792. Charlemagne actively sought to amass
scholarly men around him and established a royal school led by the
Northumbrian scholar
Alcuin. He evidently was a talented builder and
construction manager, because Charlemagne put him in charge of the completion of several
palace complexes including
Aachen and
Ingelheim. Despite the fact that Einhard was on intimate terms with Charlemagne he never achieved office in his
reign. In 814, on Charlemagne's death his son
Louis the Pious made Einhard his private
secretary. Einhard retired from
court during the time of the
disputes between Louis and his sons, in around 828.
*
Royal Frankish Annals*
Vita Karoli Magni -- Einhard's
Life of Charlemagne, Latin text at
The Latin Library*
Life of Charlemagne -- Einhard's
Life of Charlemagne, 19th century English translation.
*
Einhard at the
Catholic Encyclopedia
