Einhard, Детальна інформація

Another interesting issue about this biography is Einhards criticism of

Charles on small matters, but he fails to criticize him on big matters like slaying of thousands of people. Overall the portrait of Charles in Life of

Charlemagne is very positive. It hardly contains any of the bad traits of

Charlemagne. This once again proves to us that Einhard was a very prudent courtier. He didn’t want say anything that may threaten him, and his reputation, for he knew that others in court will read the biography.[xi]

Einhard displayed his great intellect, and writing talent in his book

The Translation and Miracles of Marcellinus and Peter. The content of the book contains records about translation of remains of St. Peter and 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. ”.

In this book a reader could see Einhard being unusually critical, of

Hilduin, for a careful and prudent courtier.[xiii] But when one starts to analyze it in depth it is easy to realize that Einhard had a reason to be, after all Einhard is portrayed a religious man, he spent a fortune on bringing these relics to Fracia. He portrayed Hilduin in highly adverse light. A part of the reason why Einhard wrote this book, as Paul Dutton

Suggests, was to address the rumors that relics did not poses real power of saints due to separation.[xiv] That may explain why there are so many stories of miracles in the book. Thus summing up aforementioned, Einhard using his prudence and the power of the word, which definitely possessed, strengthened his own reputation, as a preserver of the relics, while weakened that of Hilduin, and he also was able to regain people’s trust in martyrs.

Looking at Einhard’s career one can see that he assumed a lot of different roles. Einhard was a high advisor of both Charlemagne and Louis the Pious. He was also a lay abbot of properties in Michelstadt, and

Seligenstadt. Einhard’s contemporaries describe him to be always busy, and preoccupied with the court’s business, running around with books. “The letters show us Einhard acting as an agent of the emperor, as a local patron, as a lay abbot, as the holder of properties, as an influential referee, as a marriage broker, and as an intellectual friend.”[xv] In the court of Charlemagne we see Einhard being involved in different high state affairs. One of those was Charlmange’s partition of the kingdom among his sons. Royal Frankish Annals states: “All these things were set down in writing and conveyed by Einhard to Pope Leo III, so that he might assent to them with his own signature”[xvi] Another time Eihanrd took part in state business with Charles was in 813 at the diet of Aachan when he spoke in favor of elevating of Louis the Pious to co-emperor status. As Ermold the

Black recorded it Einhard characterized Louis the Pious as a very able person for king’s throng: “….You have a son with an extremely fine character, who, because of his merits, is able to hold your kingdoms.”[xvii] These are the two times when Einhard’s officially involved in making of Frankish history, although it wasn’t a big part he played. But if we look at the writing of fellow courtiers it is evident that he and the king were very close.[xviii] It may be possible that this close friendship that they both shared might have shaped Charlemagne’s decisions. It is only an idea, which is not evident and not necessarily true, but nevertheless should be considered when one’s analyzing position of Einhard in the court of Charles the Great. Thus it may well be a fair assumption to say that

Einhard did have a bit of influence and power in that court when compared to other courtiers.

During the reign of Louis the Pious Einhard and his wife Emma received properties from the emperor in the year of 815, as a reward for his services to both emperors.[xix] As a lay abbot he was often preoccupied with the maters like building churches and legal issues. One could see him at court only at certain times of the year to perform duties he usually did with the emperor Charles the Great. On top of these duties, it is also believed that Einhard’s writings 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 certain times of the year in his residences, but never the less he still participated in Louis the Pious government.[xx]

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

Analyzing Einhard’s personality is no easy task. For in his correspondence there are only a few that actually talk about his personal life. Einhard did not trust the communication through letters, one can especially see his position on reporting important information via letters in his message to a certain R. in which Einhard says that letter will reveal all of the information 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 can conclude that he was a very careful man. But the main characteristic of Einhard is that he was very prudent. The Astronomer calls him “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 to be bold with people, and criticize them, in a way that will profit him and leave him with spotless reputation. Also he knew when to be patient, and not offend people. For example in the documents collected we see just a few cases when 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 the documents we have, one can’t find even one that suggests the opposite. In fact Einhard first of all demonstrated faithfulness to the kings he served. To show his great loyalty, faithfulness and appreciation to his king, Einhard wrote a beautiful biography called The Life of

Charlemagne. Einhard also speaks with love, and loyalty to Louis, in one of his letters to Louis’ sons. He says: “I have always equally loved you and my most pious lord, your father, and have always equally wished for the well-being of both of you.” Another point that greatly suggests that Eihard was a faithful man was his strong belief in Christianity and upholding of commandments. Not only did he follow the commandments he also built churches and brought the holy martyrs to Francia.[xxiv]

As was mentioned before Einhard was 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 biography that 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 the

Pious and Einhard in any of the reflection on Einhard. But that doesn’t mean that they had a bad relationship. 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 both emperors.[xxvi]

Looking at the life of Einhard one gets a sense that the topic of religion in his life became more and more important 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 to support that theory. Although it was closer towards the later years of his life that he had much to say about religion, it is certain that he perceived the world as a ‘good Christian’ for the all of his life. But it seems like towards the end of his life he started to spend more time on meditating upon the wonders he saw, and theological questions he might have had. We can find proof of his devotion to religion in his big investment of building churches and transport of relics of saints-which was a costly enterprise. He also paid close attention to the signs and prophecies he received, and whenever was necessary he fasted at times for days. Summing up there’s no doubt that Einhard was a very spiritual man, he was very committed to his faith, and it was a big part of his life.

Summarizing the aforementioned argument indeed 9th Century documents presented in Charlemagne’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, as well as the most prudent and influential courtiers of his time. We discussed Einhards personality, his responsibilities at different courts, and what they offered to him, his beliefs, and interests, and his relationship to the two kings he served.

Einhard was a person with a wide variety of interests, strong religious beliefs, and faithful character. He is important to the Medieval Europe, because he was one of the faithful courtiers that carried out Carolingian reformation.

Endnotes:

-----------------------

[i] Dr. Joyce Lorimer, “The Achievements of Charlemagne”, HI 101, Wilfrid