The Carolingian Experiment
Edward James
‘Is there any harm in trying, as I have been instructed, to commemorate the deeds of our princes and nobles by writing them down? … If cannot be useful posterity other ways, will at least this effort disperse haze error’about these matters for those who come after us.’1 Nithard, son Charlemagne’s courtier Angilbert his successor Abbot St-Riquier, was killed a battle against Vikings shortly words. His history conflict between patron Charles Bald royal brothers, particularly three years following death their father Louis Pious, does indeed give us an insight into relationships nobles, above all problems created Frankish monarchy conflicts loyalty which inevitably resulted from civil war. Nithard wrote 843, when it already clear that Carolingian experiment create unified Church administered united loyal aristocracy had failed. For some aristocrats, local ambitions interests proved more compelling than public interest. end century inaugurated deposition last Merovingian king, aware this. But, like earlier writers, he concentrates on doings kings aristocrats involved with affairs kingdom.
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