Charlemagne as David revisited
Lynton A. Boshoff
It was common practice in literate and learned circles at the late 8th-century Carolingian court to give one another personal nicknames. Although this would suggest a world of intimacy private confidences, these nicknames are also used literary artistic productions time. Most notably, Charlemagne himself is called ‘David’, remembrance Old Testament king. While phenomenon treated broad terms most studies on history culture, as an expression idealised kingship, nature its application significance individual instances literature addressed has been less well defined. In article, therefore, I revisit nuance idée reçue David, ideal, divinely chosen ruler, epitome scholarly learning wisdom – short, image king which actively promoted political stage. consider, case studies, uses David name Latin poetry Alcuin, Angilbert, Modoin, Theodulf Orléans. Through close reading texts consideration rhetorical strategies poet, performance context audience, intellectual milieu court, it shown that selected authors make use consistent recurrent pattern, reflects vision unified unique circle poets their pursuits. Contribution: This article aimed contribute field through analysis how when for Charlemagne, poems written court. king, closed question further implications status goals influence had over revival period.
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