Charlemagne Character Analysis
Charlemagne was a Frankish king, later emperor, whose rule lasted from 742 CE until 814 CE. Charles the Great was revered as one of the greatest kings of the Early Middle Ages, an attitude that was perpetuated by the early authors’ writings about him and his reign. One such author is an eighth-century scholar named Einhard who born in 770 CE in the eastern part of Frankland. After receiving an education from a local monastery, Einhard went on to become not only a member of Charlemagne’s court but also his close friend. It was this friendship which leads Einhard to write his biography The Life of Charlemagne, in which he portrays Charlemagne as totally devoted to his family and friends. Einhard portrays clearly just how much Charlemagne loves his family. The first relationship written about is that of Charlemagne and his father, Pippin, and his brother, Carloman. Upon his death, Pippin split the inheritance of his kingdom between his two sons, has was customary of Frank royalty. Charlemagne is meant to be seen as better than his father and almost perfect when compared to his brother. Charlemagne is able to win
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wars that his father couldn’t and expands the empire far beyond his father’s territory. Einhard praises Charlemagne’s poise when it comes to handling his brother. Einhard wrote that “… with his brother he bore so patiently the quarreling and the restlessness of the latter [Carloman] as never even to be provoked to wrath by him.” There were wars fought by Charlemagne in which his brother had promised aid yet never followed through with it. However, instead of being angry with his brother or dissuaded, Charlemagne rode into battle with new found determination. Charlemagne saw no need for conflict with his brother and chose instead to focus his energy on expanding his kingdom. Charlemagne refusal to start a civil war with his brother provides an insight into how much he values his relationships with those he cares about. Einhard provides a better example of this when he writes about Charlemagne’s mother and his children. Charlemagne loved his mother, he cared for her in her old age and married who she thought was best. Although because this first marriage was purely for political reasons he later divorced his wife. His later wives and concubines bore him a multitude of children, all of whom he cherished dearly. Charlemagne wished to remain close to his children so he arranged for them to travel with him. Einhard writes about how Charlemagne values knowledge and education so he has all of his children tutored. During this period, it was rare for women to be educated, so Charlemagne’s investment in his daughter’s learning shows how much he respected them. This is also hinted at by the fact that Charlemagne refused to give any of his daughters away in marriage, which at the time was used almost purely for political connections. Einhard highlights the political importance of familial ties in Charlemagne’s life. After defeating the Aquitanian king, and driving out the prince, Charlemagne places his son on the throne, and thus establishes his familial line as the ruling monarchy. Still, it is evident that Charlemagne loves his children regardless of how useful they are to him. Einhard shows this during one of the most poignant moments of the biography. “He bore the deaths of his two sons and of his daughters with less patience than might have been expected from his usual stoutness of heart, for his domestic affection,… forced him to shed tears.” The loss of a child is heartbreaking and Charlemagne is exempt from this. Throughout the book Einhard as characterized Charlemagne as courageous, warm-hearted, and untroubled, yet here is the first time that he is described as having negative emotions, as being almost human. This love for his lost children extended to his grandchildren who he adopted and raised as his own.
The only other instance where Einhard writes about emotional Charlemagne is in relation to Charlemagne’s friendships.
Charlemagne “wept as though he had lost a brother or a very dear son” after the death of his best friend. While most of Charlemagne’s friendships were born out of political convince, such as the one with the emperor of Constantinople, they were also very real and genuine to Charlemagne. Einhard describes Charlemagne has an excellent friend “He embraced them [his friendships] readily and maintained them faithfully, and he treated with the utmost respect all whom he had admitted into the circle of his friends.” This show that Charlemagne thought of his friendships as more than just the exchanging of presents. These friends were both his allies and comrades, who enriched his empire. Einhard himself was considered a dear friend of
Charlemagne
The fact Einhard was a close friend of Charlemagne and wrote this biography for one of Charlemagne’s beloved sons is why it is undeniably biased. Einhard wrote Charlemagne’s story to help keep Charlemagne alive the memories of his’ decedents, not to give a factual timeline of his life. There are numerous parts of Charlemagne’s life and rule that Einhard either glosses over or fails to mention at all. Other parts of the Charlemagne’s character is grossly over exaggerated. In the case of Charlemagne’s traitorous son Pippin, it makes no sense that has both a father and the king, would not have a reaction worth noting. Now, this is not to say Einhard’s book is useless. I believe that has a type of commemorative literature it does an excellent job. And while it falls short of modern standards, historians have so little sources of literature for Charlemagne and Einhard was one of the few that knew Charlemagne personally that also wrote about him. So, for lack of a better source, we must use Einhard’s biography.
Charlemagne was steadfast in interpersonal relationships. He surpassed his father and rose above the actions of his brother. Charlemagne showed unconditional love for his mother and children. He places a great significance in his friendships. It is clear to see that regardless of the pedestal Einhard places him on, Charlemagne still deeply loves and cares for his family and friends. Even though Einhard’s The Life of Charlemagne has flaws, it is still one of the most reliable sources of information about Charlemagne.
wars that his father couldn’t and expands the empire far beyond his father’s territory. Einhard praises Charlemagne’s poise when it comes to handling his brother. Einhard wrote that “… with his brother he bore so patiently the quarreling and the restlessness of the latter [Carloman] as never even to be provoked to wrath by him.” There were wars fought by Charlemagne in which his brother had promised aid yet never followed through with it. However, instead of being angry with his brother or dissuaded, Charlemagne rode into battle with new found determination. Charlemagne saw no need for conflict with his brother and chose instead to focus his energy on expanding his kingdom. Charlemagne refusal to start a civil war with his brother provides an insight into how much he values his relationships with those he cares about. Einhard provides a better example of this when he writes about Charlemagne’s mother and his children. Charlemagne loved his mother, he cared for her in her old age and married who she thought was best. Although because this first marriage was purely for political reasons he later divorced his wife. His later wives and concubines bore him a multitude of children, all of whom he cherished dearly. Charlemagne wished to remain close to his children so he arranged for them to travel with him. Einhard writes about how Charlemagne values knowledge and education so he has all of his children tutored. During this period, it was rare for women to be educated, so Charlemagne’s investment in his daughter’s learning shows how much he respected them. This is also hinted at by the fact that Charlemagne refused to give any of his daughters away in marriage, which at the time was used almost purely for political connections. Einhard highlights the political importance of familial ties in Charlemagne’s life. After defeating the Aquitanian king, and driving out the prince, Charlemagne places his son on the throne, and thus establishes his familial line as the ruling monarchy. Still, it is evident that Charlemagne loves his children regardless of how useful they are to him. Einhard shows this during one of the most poignant moments of the biography. “He bore the deaths of his two sons and of his daughters with less patience than might have been expected from his usual stoutness of heart, for his domestic affection,… forced him to shed tears.” The loss of a child is heartbreaking and Charlemagne is exempt from this. Throughout the book Einhard as characterized Charlemagne as courageous, warm-hearted, and untroubled, yet here is the first time that he is described as having negative emotions, as being almost human. This love for his lost children extended to his grandchildren who he adopted and raised as his own.
The only other instance where Einhard writes about emotional Charlemagne is in relation to Charlemagne’s friendships.
Charlemagne “wept as though he had lost a brother or a very dear son” after the death of his best friend. While most of Charlemagne’s friendships were born out of political convince, such as the one with the emperor of Constantinople, they were also very real and genuine to Charlemagne. Einhard describes Charlemagne has an excellent friend “He embraced them [his friendships] readily and maintained them faithfully, and he treated with the utmost respect all whom he had admitted into the circle of his friends.” This show that Charlemagne thought of his friendships as more than just the exchanging of presents. These friends were both his allies and comrades, who enriched his empire. Einhard himself was considered a dear friend of
Charlemagne
The fact Einhard was a close friend of Charlemagne and wrote this biography for one of Charlemagne’s beloved sons is why it is undeniably biased. Einhard wrote Charlemagne’s story to help keep Charlemagne alive the memories of his’ decedents, not to give a factual timeline of his life. There are numerous parts of Charlemagne’s life and rule that Einhard either glosses over or fails to mention at all. Other parts of the Charlemagne’s character is grossly over exaggerated. In the case of Charlemagne’s traitorous son Pippin, it makes no sense that has both a father and the king, would not have a reaction worth noting. Now, this is not to say Einhard’s book is useless. I believe that has a type of commemorative literature it does an excellent job. And while it falls short of modern standards, historians have so little sources of literature for Charlemagne and Einhard was one of the few that knew Charlemagne personally that also wrote about him. So, for lack of a better source, we must use Einhard’s biography.
Charlemagne was steadfast in interpersonal relationships. He surpassed his father and rose above the actions of his brother. Charlemagne showed unconditional love for his mother and children. He places a great significance in his friendships. It is clear to see that regardless of the pedestal Einhard places him on, Charlemagne still deeply loves and cares for his family and friends. Even though Einhard’s The Life of Charlemagne has flaws, it is still one of the most reliable sources of information about Charlemagne.