‘The dissension of kings’
Roger Collins
Writing late in the ninth century, anonymous author of Annals Xanten clearly felt close to despair when compiling his entry for year 862. He abandoned attempt at a detailed record and contented himself with statement that ‘it is now tedious dissension between our kings desolation caused by pagans within kingdoms’.1 The modern student history Carolingian Empire century followed death Charlemagne must feel some sympathy sentiments this predecessor. From 830 onwards sources narrative these times seem do little more than record, varying degrees detail, much dissensio regum perhaps even desolatio paganorum. Historians attracted period, there have not been very many them, tended repeat what chroniclers tell adopt their vantage points judgements they made on own society its rulers.2