I 164. EINHAKD. 705
and the best of the historians of the Carolingian age, was the son of Einhard and Engilfrita, and was born about 770, in that part of the Valley of the Main which belongs to Hesse- Darmstadt. His family was noble and his education was con ducted in the famous Benedictine monastic school of St. Boni face at Fulda, to which his parents sent gifts.1 About 792 the abbot Baugolf sent him to the court of Charlemagne, in order that his already remarkable attainments might be increaed and his ability find ample scope. The favorable judgment and pro phecy of Baugolf were justified by events. He soon won all hearts by his, amiable disposition and applause by his versatile learning. He married Imma, a maiden of noble family, sister of Bernharius, bishop of Worms, and with her lived very happily for many years.2 She bore him a son named Wtissin who be came a monk at Fulda. He enjoyed the Emperor's favor to a marked degree,3 and figured in important and delicate matters. Thus he was sent in 806 to Rome to obtain the papal signature to Charlemagne's will dividing the empire among his sous4 Again in 813 it was he who first suggested the admission of Louis to the co-regency. He superintended the building opera tions of Charlemagne, e. g. at Aix la Chapelle (Aachen), ac cording to the ideas of Vitruvius, whom he studied diligently.5 His skill as a craftsman Avon him the academic title of Bezaleel.6 Pie pursued his studies and gathered a fine library of classic authors. He edited the court annals.7 Charlemagne's death (814) did not alter his position. Louis the Pious re tained him as councillor and appointed him in 817 instructor
1 Jaffe" 1. c. p. 488.
2 The legend that Imma was the daughter of Charlemagne dates from the twelfth century, and probably arose from the false reading neptitatem (" nephew ") for ne pietatem in Eginhard's letter to Lothair. See Jaffe, p. 446.
3 Walahfrid's Prologue to the Vita, see JaffiS, p. 508.
4 Annnle* 80(5, in Migne, CIV. col. 4G6, 1. 2, fr. bel.
5 Epistolce, ed. Jaffe, no 56, p. 478, ed. Migne, no. 30 (col. 520).
6 Alcuin, Epist. ed. Jafl£, no. 112, p. 459.
7 See below.
706 FOURTH PERIOD. A. D. 590-1049.
to his son Lothair. When trouble broke out (830) between father and son he did his best to reconcile them.
Although a layman he had received at different times since 815 a number of church preferments. Louis made him abbot of Fontenelle in the diocese of Rouen, of St. Peter's of Blandigny and St. Bavon's at Ghent, of St. Servais' at Maastricht, and head of the church of St. John the Baptist at Pavia. On Jan. 11, 815, Louis gave Einhard and Imma the domains of Michelstadt and Mulinheim in the Odenwald on the Main; and on June 2 of that year he is first addressed as abbot.1 As the political affairs of the empire became more complicated he withdrew more and more from public life, and turned his at tention to literature. He resigned the care of the abbey of Fontenelle in 823, and after administrating other abbeys sought rest at Michelstadt. There he built a church in which he put (827) the relics of the saints Marcellinus and Petrus which Rad been stolen from the church of St. Tiburtius near Rome.2 A year later, however, he removed to Mulinheim, which name he changed to Seligenstadt ; there he built a splendid church and founded a monastery. After his unsuccessful attempt to end the strife between Louis and Lothair he retired altogether to Seligenstadt. About 836 he wrote his now lost work upon the Worship of the Cross, which he dedicated to Servatus Lupus.3 In 836 his wife died. His grief was inconsolable, and aroused the commiseration of his friends ; 4 and even the emperor Louis made him a visit of condolence.5 But he carried his burden till his death on March 14, 840. He is honored as a saint in the abbey of Fontenelle on February 20. His epitaph was written by Rabanus Maurus.
1 For his preferments see Jaffe* p. 493-495. On p. 493, Jaffe proves that Einhard did not separate himself from his wife after becoming an abbot.
2 See A ccount of the removal, etc., below.
8 See Lupus' reply to his letter (Lupus, Epist. ed. Migne, CXIX. col. 445).
4 See his letter to Lupus and Lupus' reply, ibid. col. 437-446.
5 Jafle ed. p. 499.