The Carolingian world of Dudo of Saint-Quentin
Leah Shopkow
Duco of Saint-Quentin's De moribus et actis primorum Normanniae ducum has presented difficulties for scholars, both because it is inaccurate history and could not be assigned to any literary-historical tradition, apart from the Aeneid. However, previously unnoted models, particularly Vita sancti Lamberti Stephen Liège Germani Heiric Auxerre, open a new perspective on Dudo's work. His use these texts, his style standard Merovingian Carolingian poetic conventions, suggest that he was educated at traditional centre, probably Liège. The Demoribus tells conversion dukes their gradual extirpation paganism. Because Carolingians believed rulers have secular ecclesiastical responsibilities, hagiography predominantly form, serial biography, makes sense. This shaping material would suited purposes Norman Dukes, who, although they read Latin, wanted imitate late practices. meant serious desire regulate Church wish leave behind literary monument attesting level culture.
Journal of Medieval History