Einhard and Charlemagne's Palace School: a Mechanism for Wealth, Prestige, Power and Success

Einhard was a courtier in Charlemagne 's Frankish Kingdom. During Charlemagne 's rule/life (768-824), he dedicated a vast amount of time and energy into supporting the notions of classical learning. He went so far as to start a school comprised of many scholars within his palace. Their role was to educate the nobility, the priesthood and the people, as well as hold counsel with the king. This is where Einhard and Charlemagne first encountered each other. Einhard was a small but intelligent man who came to prominence in the PiousCharlemagne 's and Charlemagne 's son 's kingdom. It is often asked how such a small man came to be the heart of the kingdom, and how the court school and the opportunities it provided influenced his success. During the late 8th and early 9th century, Charlemagne came to power. He expanded the kingdom and conceived many reforms during his reign.
Charlemagne ruled the Frankish Kingdom from 768-814. He was one of Pepin the thirds two sons. Charlemagne 's brother, Carolman died in 771, and Charlemagne became the sole ruler of the Franks. Almost as soon as Charlemagne assumed the throne he commenced a series of campaigns. From 772-804 Charlemagne was at war with Saxony, from 773-774 Charlemagne was also at war with the Lombards in Italy. In 778, Charlemagne was invited into Northern Italy to extend Christian influence. In 787 Charlemagne invaded and seized Bavaria. Finally, from 788-797, Charlemagne launched a campaign against the tribal horsemen, the Avars. In 789, Charlemagne issued "The General Admonition", the concept of the document was that moral reform requires education. At this time, Charlemagne created the palace school at his court, scholars were brought to this school to reform the Frankish priests and people. Various other reforms took place during this time, such as the new form of writing, Carolingian Minuscule, and the writing down of law codes. On December 25, 800, Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor

References: to Einhard 's poetic talents can be found in the works of his contemporaries, although it is uncertain what poetry he wrote. Alcuin, a courtier, in his poem "On the Court" wrote, "What shall Bezaleel, who is skilled in Trojan epic do [now]?" . This work refers to the fact that Einhard was proficient in a style of poetry, however, none of these works survive. Throughout his life, Einhard wrote numerous works, letters, and charters. His better known work would more than likely be The Life of Charlemagne. The schools he attended made him literate and allowed him the leisure to pursue writing. Einhard was a hard working, scholarly man. Through his education at the monastery of Fulda, he was able to enter Charlemagne 's court school. From here, Einhard attained a position of prominence and power. In many ways, he ran Charlemagne 's palace. Through Einhard 's relationships that he established with Charlemagne 's son, Louis the Pious, and the sons of Louis the Pious, Einhard was able to survive and maintain this rolehis power and prominence. During his time at the court school, and even to an extent during the reign of Louis the Pious, Einhard was the heart of the kingdom. Administration of the Palace ran through Einhard when he worked in the court with Charlemagne and he was a significant force. Einhard 's voice very powerful even during the reign of Louis the Pious due to the services he had provided the King. The court school was a facility that produced powerful and prominent men. It offered land, literacy, and fameto the men who attended it. To quote Modoin, in his "Eclogues: On the Poets of His Age", "Notice how the triumphant Nard, who is used to reciting Aonian verses, Is a flush today with the highest honors." This quote makes reference to how the palace school made men rich. Einhard used the mechanism of the court school to his advantage, and became one of the more powerful, and approachable men in the Frankish Kingdom. In many ways, Einhard repaid the kingdom for his education. His success as a courtier gave him the means to pursue his religious beliefs. In a society that thrived on superstition, Einhard 's saints were a vehicle for hope, healing, and redemption. Also, Einhard was able to support his interests in Art and Architecture, leaving behind a beautiful legacy. For a man who was as small as Einhard, his accomplishments in life, provided by the court school, are truly amazing. Bibliography Dutton, Paul Edward, Charlemagne 's Courtier: The Complete Einhard. Ontario; Broadview Press, 1998. Tierney, Brian, Western Europe in the Middle Ages: 300-1475. United States of American; McGraw-Hill College, 1999.