her Bezaleel (another name for Einhard) was the mere executor of the works accredited to him. It is obvious in the documents provided that in many cases Einhard, just ordered the process. "Einhard moved in a world of painters, reliquary-makers, tile-makers, royal scribes, organ builders, and palace workmen, and he knew how to use them to advantage. "But it is possible that our view on artists is very different from the view of that time. Nevertheless he used his talent, and was accredited for it. Paul Dutton provides a detailed drawing of the arc constructed around the time of Charlemagne that he says "can be connected to Einhard with confidence". Einhard according to Dutton used his talent of visual arts in the decoration of buildings and churches that were built at the time of Charles the Great. [ix] br/>
It is evident that Einhard was an expert in the aforementioned types of arts, but it is the authorship of Life of Charlemagne , and The Translation and Miracles of Marcellinus and Peter that brought a great deal of popularity for him. In fact Life of Charlemagne is thought to be one of the masterpieces of ninth century Europe. [X] This book reveals some of the character traits as well as personality of Einhard. Interestingly enough, Life of Charlemagne does not contain a lot of the facts that we know about him. This lack of information has raised many questions around this book. Another interesting issue about this biography is Einhards criticism of Charles on small matters, but he fails to criticize him on big matters like slaying of thousands of people. Overall the portrait of Charles in Life of Charlemagne is very positive. It hardly contains any of the bad traits of Charlemagne. This once again proves to us that Einhard was a very prudent courtier. He didn't want say anything that may threaten him, and his reputation, for he knew that others in court will read the biography. [xi] p> Einhard displayed his great intellect, and writing talent in his book The Translation and Miracles of Marcellinus and Peter. The content of the book contains records about translation of remains of St. Peter and St. Marcellinus, and the events related to this "Enterprise". [Xii] This book is written very carefully in my opinion. Portrait of Einhard is displayed in contrast to the one of Hilduin who stole the relics of the holy martyrs. ". In this book a reader could see Einhard being unusually critical, of Hilduin, for a careful and prudent courtier. [xiii] But when one starts to analyze it in depth it is easy to realize that Einhard had a reason to be, after all Einhard is portrayed a religious man, he spent a fortune on bringing these relics to Fracia. He portrayed Hilduin in highly adverse light. A part of the reason why Einhard wrote this book, as Paul Dutton Suggests, was to address the rumors that relics did not poses real power of saints due to separation. [xiv] That may explain why there are so many stories of miracles in the book. Thus summing up aforementioned, Einhard using his prudence and the power of the word, which definitely possessed, strengthened his own reputation, as a preserver of the relics, while weakened that of Hilduin, and he also was able to regain people's trust in martyrs.
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Looking at Einhard's career one can see that he assumed a lot of different roles. Einhard was a high advisor of both Charlemagne and Louis the Pious. He was also a lay abbot of properties in Michelstadt, and Seligenstadt. Einhard's contemporaries describe him to be always busy, and preoccupied with the court's business, running around with books. "The letters show us Einhard acting as an agent of the emperor, as a local patron, as a lay abbot, as the holder of properties, as an influential referee, as a marriage broker, and as an intellectual friend. "[xv] In the court of Charlemagne we see Einhard being involved in different high state affairs. One of those was Charlmange's partition of the kingdom among his sons. Royal Frankish Annals states: "All these things were set down in writing and conveyed by Einhard to Pope Leo III, so that he might assent to them with his own signature "[xvi] Another time Eihanrd took part in state business with Charles was in 813 at the diet of Aachan when he spoke in favor of elevating of Louis the Pious to co-emperor status. As Ermold the Black recorded it Einhard characterized Louis the Pious as a very able person for king's throng: ".... You have a son with an extremely fine character, who, because of his merits, is able to hold your kingdoms. "[xvii] These are the two times when Einhard's officially involved in making of Frankish history, although it wasn't a big part he played. But if we look at the writing of fellow courtiers it is evident that he and the king were very close. [xviii] It may be possible that this close friendship that they both shared...
