308:
237:). Their authorship is unknown, but they are believed to have been composed in successive sections by different authors, and then compiled. The depth of knowledge regarding court affairs suggests that the annals were written by persons close to the king, and their initial reluctance to comment on Frankish defeats betrays an official design for use as Carolingian propaganda. Though the information contained within is heavily influenced by authorial intent in favor of the Franks, the annals remain a crucial source on the political and military history of the reign of
723:. In that year, he left the emperor’s service to join the sons’ uprising and was subsequently banished, which would account for the termination of the annals. His increasing distaste for Louis would also correspond with the veiled negativity towards the emperor which surfaces in the later entries of the annal, in the form of faint praise and the recording of omens and disasters. Additionally, the entry for
394:
even in defeat by the revised edition, the annalists’ Louis is a smaller man who invests the power of the military in others, not unlike the annals’ earlier depiction of the
Merovingian kings. Miracles aid Charlemagne and his men, and the grace of God leads him to victory; mostly ill portents surround Louis, such as an omen in the stars supposedly foretelling his army’s defeat at the hands of
379:
740:
21:
682:, which is the most ordered and precise of them. Neither argument considers these entries to be contemporaneous with the events described. The manner of reporting for these years is typically terse, though they include the convention of mentioning Easter and Christmas, which continues throughout the annals.
697:
Unlike the first section, these entries were written contemporaneously and with greater depth. Considering this and the fact that the subject matter remains fixed on the actions of
Charlemagne, composition by members of the royal chapel again seems likely, as few other groups would have had access to
393:
Charlemagne’s son, Louis the Pious, is rarely shown engaging in battle by the annalists, but rather directs others to do so, or negotiates for peace. The contrast between Louis and his father and grandfather is clear. While the past kings were unshakeable figures, depicted as the better of their foes
706:
This section, as well as the fourth, are also both contemporaneous accounts. Scholz notes an increased eloquence in the language employed from here on. At this time, the editor of the revised edition also began his work on the earlier entries, bringing the Latin up to a similar level as the new
487:
The annals survive in multiple versions, widely distributed across the
Frankish empire, though none of these are original copies. Each version is marked with distinguishing features, and based on these features, Friedrich Kurze formulated five classes for the categorization of these texts. This
561:
Class D texts are derived from a complete copy, though McKitterick points out that the derivatives are often not complete themselves. These also contain insertions not found in the other classes, including mention of Pepin the
Hunchback. The revised texts are based on a Class D manuscript.
1205:
893:
343:
practiced by the Saxons at the time. Its destruction is a major point in the annals, written to continue a jingoistic theme of
Frankish triumphs against the “un-Frankish” and unchristian barbarian. The unrevised text neglects to mention defeats suffered by Charlemagne, such as the
374:
against
Charlemagne is also omitted, along with any reference to potential misconduct on Charlemagne’s part. The revised text, however, incorporates these events while maintaining a positive tone towards the emperor, presented as a peerless leader in battle.
432:
Scholz regards this preoccupation as a reflection of a belief in a divine will and control of history. Many of the worse omens also parallel growing dissatisfaction with Louis the Pious, which immediately after the end of the annals spilled into
276:
295:. The annalists pay particular attention to the military campaigns of the Carolingian kings, justifying their actions in terms of a grand narrative of Carolingian peacekeeping and conquest in the name of expanding the
707:
entries and adding lengthy passages where detail was lacking, again in the style of the later years. For this reason, the editor is believed to have belonged to or been affiliated with this third group of authors.
299:
faith. The overthrow of the
Merovingians is also portrayed in such a way as to legitimize the transfer of royal power between dynasties, emphasizing Carolingian adherence to Frankish traditions and the approval of
632:. Additionally, an unknown editor produced the revised text at some point during the third stage. The identities of any of the authors save that of the fourth section are unknown, but production by a group of
584:). The revised editions correct the Latin of the originals and elaborate on many of the earlier entries, which were written by a terse hand in their unedited states. The major edits go up to
719:, and for this reason has been associated with Hilduin of St. Denis. The case for his authorship is founded on Hilduin’s involvement in the first civil war between Louis and his sons in
600:
Though the number of sections into which the annals should be divided is debated, they undoubtably were written in at least four stages, corresponding roughly to the entries for
283:
The annals give a brief individual description of events for each year (a few omitted), with a focus on the actions of the
Carolingian monarchy, beginning with the account of
1246:
McKitterick, R. (2000). “The
Illusion of Royal Power in the Carolingian Annals”, The English Historical Review 115(460), pp. 1–20. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
731:
by
Einhard’s translation. The inclusion of these somewhat obscure events, both of which Hilduin was involved with, would be explained by his authorship of the section.
307:
547:. These contain various additions not found in the previous two classes, and Kurze divides them based on what other texts are found in their codices, such as the
244:
Copies of the annals can be categorized into five classes, based on additions and revisions to the text. The chronicles were continued and incorporated in the
1193:
859:
488:
system still remains in use. The five classes of texts are lettered A through D, with an additional E class for the revised text. They are as follow:
1230:
366:. Indeed, the Battle of SĂĽntel is portrayed in the annals as a victory, as opposed to a crushing Frankish defeat at the hands of the Saxons. The
405:
Indeed, such references to striking natural phenomena, strange happenings, and miracles become increasingly common in the annal entries for the
934:
66:
Finished writing a draft article? Are you ready to request review of it by an experienced editor for possible inclusion in Knowledge (XXG)?
335:, and other peoples. The account of Charlemagne’s campaign against the Saxons is also notable as one of the few extant references to the
1272:
1241:
1225:
570:
Class E comprises the revised editions of the annals, and are by far the most numerous. These are often found paired with Einhard’s
771:. However, while no other names have been suggested for the editor, the case for Einhard cannot be argued definitively either.
465:, aside from a mention by Einhard drawn from the annals. The gift of the elephant to Charlemagne, amongst other treasures, by
437:
between him and his sons. Divine intervention through the relics of saints play an important role as well, with mention of
905:
576:, and it is partially from this that they are sometimes believed to have been written by him as well, and thus called the
446:
413:, the supernatural begins to enter the account, set against almost ritualistic yearly notices of the regular passages of
476:
454:
1214:
1261:
923:
549:
60:
685:
The author of this section is unknown. Scholz posits the work of multiple authors in the royal chapel. The year
767:
put forth Einhard as the editor, an association which has carried with the revised annals in references to the
345:
658:. On account of this, scholars such as Scholz have suggested that the annals are based on the continuation of
461:. Additionally, the annals provide the only attestation to the existence of Charlemagne’s personal elephant
39:
830:
802:
654:
34:
512:
438:
371:
359:
223:
212:
781:
312:
249:
1268:
1237:
1221:
930:
883:
793:
787:
764:
572:
528:
501:
340:
264:
258:
1250:
Monod, G. (1895). “Hilduin et les Annales Einhardi”, Melanges Julien Havet, pp. 57-65. Paris.
327:—Charlemagne’s military chronicles are the most detailed, covering his victories against the
876:
689:
is not definitive as the date of authorial change, but it is the latest of those suggested.
515:
speculates that the manuscript originally ran to that date. These manuscripts are now lost.
457:
into Francia. A more detailed account of Einhard’s procurement of the relics exists in his
472:
324:
284:
234:
197:
30:
1249:
354:
301:
226:
442:
292:
254:
245:
56:
421:. Nearly two-dozen villages are reported to have been destroyed by heavenly fire in
500:, and are reflected in one of the earliest modern printings of the annals, that of
779:
Three major annals take up the work of the Annales regni Francorum after 829: the
698:
the same information. However, the identities of these authors remains unknown.
406:
320:
288:
238:
747:
The revised text is believed to have been edited after Charlemagne’s death in
462:
378:
42:. It serves as a testing spot and page development space for the user and is
434:
425:, while at the same time an unnamed girl is said to have begun a three-year
414:
296:
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984:
McKitterick “The Illusion of Royal Power” English Historical Review p. 17
410:
336:
1029:
McKitterick “The Illusion of Royal Power” English Historical Review p. 8
633:
466:
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128:
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1264:
Carolingian chronicles: Royal Frankish annals and Nithard's Histories
926:
Carolingian chronicles: Royal Frankish annals and Nithard's Histories
469:
418:
328:
279:
Coronation in 752 of PĂ©pin the Short by Boniface, Archbishop of Mainz
208:
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Illustration of Einhard, to whom the revised text is often ascribed
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Scriptores rerum Germanicarum in usum scholarum separatim editi
845:
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mentions Hilduin’s translation of relics, and is followed in
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674:. McKitterick, however, contends that the continuation of
398:, and the sudden collapse of a wooden arcade atop him in
218:, recording year-by-year the state of the monarchy from
909:, with preface and classifications by Friedrich Kurze (
311:"The destruction of Irminsul by Charlemagne" (1882) by
69:
49:
1020:
Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles pp. 16-17
813:, serving as an direct unofficial continuation. The
678:
and the minor annals are more likely based upon the
666:, and then on minor annals up to some point between
652:, the annals overlap with the continuations of the
170:
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120:
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174:Account of the history of the Carolingian monarchy
1182:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 7
1173:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 7
1164:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 7
1137:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 6
1128:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 6
1110:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 5
1101:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 6
1083:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 5
1074:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 7
1038:Kurze “Praefatio” Annales Regni Francorum p. viii
1011:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 9
1002:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 8
993:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 8
975:Kurze “Praefatio” Annales Regni Francorum p. viii
966:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 4
957:Scholz “Introduction” Carolingian Chronicles p. 5
636:associated with the Carolingian court is likely.
459:Translation and Miracles of Marcellinus and Peter
479:at the time, which the annals document loosely.
409:. In addition to astronomical oddities, such as
1256:Zur Kritik Fränkisch-Deutscher Reichsannalisten
1056:Kurze “Praefatio” Annales Regni Francorum p. ix
763:, variously adding detail and modifying style.
715:This section ends abruptly after the events of
8:
527:. Kurze notes that one of these was used by
38:. A user sandbox is a subpage of the user's
1233:History and Memory in the Carolingian World
1266:. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press,
1210:. Hannover: Monumenta Germaniae Historica.
928:, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press,
287:ascension through the dethronement of the
148:Late 8th century through early 9th century
80:
507:. Canisius also includes the years up to
1235:. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1219:. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
339:, an important if enigmatic part of the
1258:. Berlin: Akademie der Wissenschaften.
950:
825:, and then continue on their own until
588:, with minor stylistic changes through
475:is evidence of the attempts to form an
582:Annals which are said to be of Einhard
1119:McKitterick History and Memory p. 100
7:
523:Class B texts go to, at the latest,
543:Class C texts are complete through
1201:. Ingolstadt: Andreas Angermarius.
14:
382:Louis the Pious doing penance at
233:(the beginning of the crisis of
48:Create or edit your own sandbox
19:
862:Francicorum Annalium fragmentum
505:Francicorum Annalium fragmentum
1146:Monod “Hilduin” Melanges p. 65
511:in his printing, however, and
496:Class A texts end at the year
1:
1155:McKitterick Charlemagne p. 47
1092:McKitterick Charlemagne p. 33
1065:McKitterick Charlemagne p. 36
1047:McKitterick Charlemagne p. 34
906:Monumenta Germaniae Historica
769:Annales qui dicuntur Einhardi
578:Annales qui dicuntur Einhardi
441:translation of the relics of
99:Annales qui dicuntur Einhardi
95:Annales Laurissenses maijores
71:Submit your draft for review!
711:The Fourth Section (809-829)
693:The Second Section (796-807)
477:Abbasid-Carolingian alliance
194:Annales Laurissenses maiores
702:The Third Section (808-819)
640:The First Section (741-795)
453:transport of the relics of
44:not an encyclopedia article
1288:
939:Composite with annotations
821:as a basis up to the year
319:Of the three kings—Pepin,
550:Liber historiae Francorum
455:SS. Marcellinus and Peter
352:(later dramatized in the
1231:McKitterick, R. (2004).
1215:McKitterick, R. (2008).
346:Battle of Roncevaux Pass
1208:Annales regni Francorum
896:Annales regni Francorum
879:Annales regni Francorum
819:Annales regni Francorum
751:but prior to Einhard’s
680:Annales regni Francorum
190:Annales regni Francorum
85:Annales regni Francorum
1254:von Ranke, L. (1855).
744:
390:
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1194:Canisius, H. (1603).
831:East Frankish Kingdom
803:West Frankish Kingdom
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655:Chronicle of Fredegar
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182:Royal Frankish Annals
103:Royal Frankish Annals
860:Heinrich Canisius’s
513:Rosamond McKitterick
1262:Scholz, B. (1972).
924:Scholz, B. (1972).
502:Heinrich Canisius’s
447:Abbey of St. Medard
372:Pepin the Hunchback
224:Mayor of the Palace
1206:Kurze, F. (1895).
1196:Antiquae Lectiones
866:Antiquae Lectiones
829:, documenting the
799:Annales Bertiniani
782:Annales Bertiniani
745:
644:Between the years
391:
317:
313:Heinrich Leutemann
281:
250:Annales Bertiniani
935:978-0-472-06186-0
884:The Latin Library
835:Annales Xantenses
815:Annales Fuldenses
794:Annales Xantenses
788:Annales Fuldenses
765:Leopold von Ranke
753:Vita Karoli Magni
573:Vita Karoli Magni
341:Germanic paganism
285:Pepin the Short’s
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259:Annales Fuldenses
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211:composed in
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106:
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84:
57:Main sandbox
54:
28:
1217:Charlemagne
407:9th century
321:Charlemagne
289:Merovingian
253:and in the
239:Charlemagne
213:Carolingian
121:Ascribed to
35:ResPerditae
1189:References
791:, and the
596:Authorship
580:(English:
463:Abul-Abbas
396:Count Aizo
358:) and the
153:Provenance
946:Citations
911:Composite
837:run from
533:Chronicon
451:Einhard’s
439:Hilduin’s
435:civil war
415:Christmas
297:Christian
166:Chronicle
113:Author(s)
40:user page
29:the user
817:use the
759:through
676:Fredegar
660:Fredegar
411:eclipses
337:Irminsul
135:Language
27:This is
918:English
888:Class C
871:Class A
634:clerics
566:Class E
557:Class D
539:Class C
531:in his
519:Class B
492:Class A
467:Abbasid
445:to the
384:Attigny
333:Bretons
271:Content
216:Francia
192:; also
171:Subject
157:Francia
129:Hilduin
125:Einhard
116:Unknown
59:|
31:sandbox
1271:
1240:
1224:
933:
833:. The
797:. The
785:, the
775:Legacy
662:up to
624:, and
470:Caliph
449:, and
419:Easter
329:Saxons
323:, and
209:annals
204:) are
198:German
903:from
854:Latin
805:from
325:Louis
291:king
229:) to
206:Latin
186:Latin
163:Genre
139:Latin
1269:ISBN
1238:ISBN
1222:ISBN
931:ISBN
894:The
877:The
670:and
648:and
427:fast
417:and
262:and
196:and
180:The
145:Date
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882:at
864:in
843:873
841:to
839:832
827:901
823:829
811:882
809:to
807:830
761:812
757:741
749:814
729:827
725:826
721:830
717:829
687:795
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646:741
630:829
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606:795
602:741
590:812
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545:829
525:813
509:793
498:788
423:823
400:817
388:822
386:in
368:792
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362:in
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348:in
231:829
220:741
33:of
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