Charlemagne In The Life Of Charlemagne By Einhard

The Life of Charlemagne is an in depth description of the life works of Charlemagne as told by Einhard, one of his former servants of the court. It is thought to have been written around 825-826 CE. It becomes clear to the reader that Einhard is writing this to praise his former master. He even states that, “Perhaps it will be possible to avoid angering with a new book those who criticize the old masterpieces composed by the most learned and eloquent of men” (136). Einhard makes it known from the beginning he plans to disprove the “haters” of Charlemagne by telling an account of all the wonderful things he did in his life. He plans to properly honor the memory of his master by telling an account of his life. Einhard uses examples from many …show more content…
Einhard tells us that after his father died in 768 Charlemagne shared the kingdom with his brother, Carloman. The point he makes it that “[Charlemagne] endured the pettiness and jealousy of his brother with such great patience, that it seemed remarkable to all that he could not be provoked to anger by him” (142). Einhard is again pointing out something about Charlemagne that is great in an attempt to glorify him in remembrance. As another example of Charlemagne’s love for family Einhard speaks of his mother. He says that Charlemagne’s mother, Bertrada, “spent her old age in great honor with him. He treated her with the greatest respect, to the point that there was never any trouble between them” (142). This is sure to be an exaggeration because Einhard clearly says that they never fought which cannot be true. He goes on to talk about Charlemagne’s care for her after her death. He says that Charlemagne “saw to it that she was buried with great honor in St-Denis, the same church where his father lay” (142). there is an obvious emphasis on care and patience for family that Charlemagne continues to express. In reference to his love for his sons and daughters, Einhard says that Charlemagne was very attentive to them that “when he was home he always ate his meals with them and when he traveled he always took them with him, his sons riding beside him, while his daughters …show more content…
He refers to when Charlemagne is told of the death of Hadrian, the Roman pontiff. He states that Charlemagne “cried so much that it was if he had lost a brother or a deeply loved son, for he had thought of him as a special friend” (142). Furthermore, Einhard voices his take on Charlemagne’s love for his friends. He does so by saying that Charlemagne “was, by nature, a good friend, for he easily made friends and firmly held on to them. Indeed, he treated them with the greatest respect those he had bound closely to himself in a relationship of this sort” (142). Einhard repeatedly keeps on saying incredible things about Charlemagne and does not stop