The Background of the Literature Prize: Einhard’s „Vita Karoli Magni“

Bestowing a literature award in Seligenstadt is no coincidence. This honor has its 1000-year origin in the “Vita Karoli Magni” or the Karls vita as it is also called. It is the first biography of Charlemagne, the Germanic emperor, whose realm eventually succeeded the Roman Empire. For Walter Berschin of Heidelberg, a renowned expert of the Middle Ages, it is the only piece of medieval biography, which has become world literature even in the mind of the general public, i. e. even beyond the group of specialists. As far as we know, Einhard wrote this piece of work in Seligenstadt. To a large degree the popularity of  Charlemagne can be attributed to the writings of Einhard about him. The Karls Vita was frequently copied in the Middle Ages and found widespread distribution.

Einhard, a man of European caliber

Einhard was one of the outstanding figures of the Carolingian age. He was born about 770, in that part of the Valley of the river Main that runs through the central part of what today is Germany. His family was noble and he received his education in the famous Benedictine monastic school of St. Boniface at Fulda, to which his parents have made substantial real estate donations. About 794 the abbot Baugulf sent him to the court of Charlemagne at Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle), in order that his already remarkable scholarly attainments might be increased further and his ability find ample scope. In Aachen, Einhard became a close friend of Alcuin, the head of the school at the imperial court in Aachen. Within two years, Charlemagne made him part of his “Tafelrunde” (Dinner Company). Einhard soon won all hearts by his amiable disposition, which made him become a close and trusted paladin of the Emperor. After the departure of Alciun he took over the Court School, which had developed into an institution of learning where many of the talents of the time were groomed. Einhard was also responsible for a number of high administrative functions and supervised the architectural and artistic activities and workshops in Aachen. He enjoyed the Emperor’s favor to a marked degree and shaped in important and delicate diplomatic matters. Thus he was sent to Rome in 806 to obtain the papal agreement to Charlemagne’s will dividing the empire among his then three sons. In 813 it was again he who first suggested the admission of Louis the Pius, the only surviving heir to the throne, to the co-regency.

Seligenstadt – a Gift from Louis the Pious

On January 11, 815, Louis presented Einhard and his wife Imma the domains of Michelstadt in the Odenwald and Mulinheim located in the Main valley, which since about 840 is called Seligenstadt. In addition to Seligenstadt, the Emperor as a source of income gave seven other monasteries scattered throughout the Franconian Empire to him.

Seligenstadt Einhard’s Refuge

After the death of Charlemagne 28 January 814, Einhard saw his most important duty in mediating the dispute that had erupted between Louis and his sons. This turned into a painful experience for him. Einhard more and more disagreed with the developments of the political affairs of the empire and he eventually decided to withdraw from public life.  He first sought rest at Michelstadt, but finally settled in Seligenstadt . During this period he also wrote the earlier mentioned biography of Charlemagne. At Seligenstadt Einhard built a church that still exists today. In 827 he made this church the resting-place for the relics of the saints Marcellinus and Petrus which had been stolen from the church of St. Tiburtius near Rome, hoping their presence in Seligenstadt would attract many pilgrims. Einhard also created a monastic community in Seligenstadt and, although layman, became its first abbot. After his death in 840 Einhard was buried in that church.