Customer Reviews:
 Royal Frankish Annals and Nithard's Histories September 20, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The Carolingian Chronicles by Scholz covers Carolingian history from 741-843. The RFA (Royal Frankish Annals) cover the period from 741-829 and Nithard's Histories cover from 820s-843. The Carolingian 'Renaissance' of the early 9th century and late 8th inspired and promoted the writing of history. Charlemagne ordered the preservation of his laws, papal letters, Byzantine letters, and fostered the writing of chronicles of which the RFA might have been a result of his influence. This is apparent since no one who was not close to the Emperor could give such detailed information leading many historians to suspect an official compilation. The RFA, however, has an agenda. Its purpose was to influence public opinion and to convey to future generations the Carolingian version of their history. Also, RFA has multiple authors and stylistically shifts. Confusion arises since many manuscripts discovered of the chronicle have revisions where the disasters of Charlemagne's reign, which other versions omit, are added (the debacle at Rocesvalles that inspired the Song of Roland for example) but the introduction does an excellent job explaining reasons. The earliest portion of the RFA's history was compiled from older annals and the continuations of Fredegar but after that point the annals are of contemporary events. The editor puts all the confusion of authorship, perspective, stylistic shifts, and historical summary into a very readable and revealing introduction that greatly assists in comprehension of the time period. However, this source is a Chronicle and not a History of the time, and for the most part is content stating facts without conclusions or explanations of cause.
Nithard's Histories are the most important source for the wars amongst the sons of Louis the Pious (Charlemagne's son). For some periods of time after Louis's death this is the ONLY source existent. Nithard, a grandson of Charlemagne, attached himself to the Emperor Louis's son Charles as his official historian. As a result the Chronicle records the wars from Charles's and a Western Francia point of view and advocate the theme that he is to prove that his way of interpretation is correct. However, the amount of information surpasses all contemporary sources. Nithard's source is unique also in respect to the fact that he is not a cleric (as well has the more famous historian of Charlemagne, Einhard).
What stands out in this volume is Scholz's astounding introduction that provides a wonderful background to the time and detailed information about the chroniclers and their chronicles.
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