Fils du Martel: La naissance, l’ éducation et la jeunesse de Pépin, dit ‘le Bref’ (v. 714–v. 741), by Alain Stoclet
Jinty Nelson
Alain Stoclet can be relied on to arouse the reader’s curiosity and tickle a taste for paradox. In his introduction (pp. 9–20), notes impossibility of writing biography Pippin, or any narrative career, because sources are too sparse scrappy, yet he promises that present volume is first five! ‘I’m like baker’, writes: ‘texts my flour I make bread without using recipe—I rely long practice enriched by varied experience.’ He invites readers join him in scrutinising every document, anecdote, conceivably relevant detail, regard time expended. To me, scout: with an eye promising trail, admitting when if it goes cold, ever keen spot new trails which, as often not, lead revelatory finds. The book contains four chapters, each critical notes, brief epilogue 237–41). There also some pièces justificatives ; very helpful glossary; maps; bibliography 277–321); no fewer than six indexes 323–77), which connoisseurs will find vintage Stoclet. Chapter One, entitled ‘Signs Blood’ subtitled ‘Prophecies, Name Family’, begins portents death Charles Martel (741), recorded, more less contemporaneously, Martel’s half-brother Hildebrand, opening dynastic possibilities ‘blood’. Abbot Ermin Lobbes (d. 737) told monastic intimates prophecy at birth second son, 714: ‘he hold kingdom Franks firmly ancestors’. presents complicated but persuasive case this was, not near-contemporary Pippin’s birth, recorded few decades later (in Alcuin plunder it). name well established among ancestors, resonated family distinction, amplified Stoclet’s ‘critical notes’ 52–67) with, inter alia, onomastic echoes from various parts British Isles.
The English Historical Review