The Carolingian capture of Aachen in 978 and its historiographical footprint
Theo Riches
This chapter traces the retelling of events 978 in France and Germany until clear separation two kingdoms' identities. It shows most obviously that it is authorial intention which determines interpretation conflict over Aachen, whether narrowly, with anonymous Cambraicanon his obsession about unruly aristocrats, or broadly, respective weights given to secular religious drives chronicle hagiography. Less predictably, accounts favoured each side from start, interpreting them terms Staatspolitik honour great men. Charlemagne may have created Aachen as a centre for empire, but was made central by presence magnates. The starts an irony - piece dedicated Janet Nelson should devote itself Aachen's violent seizure Charlemagne's penultimate heir.
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