Analysis of Einhard’s “Life of Charlemagne”

Einhard, Charlemagne’s friend and courtier, describes Charlemagne with seemingly respect and awe. He describes his stature as “large and strong, and of lofty stature” (source), it is as if he is describing a mighty hero. Einhard, throughout the text, illustrates Charlemagne as having physical and mental prowess, it describes how “he took frequent exercise” and how he ” spent much time and labor studying rhetoric, dialects, and astronomy” (source). Einhard also describes Charlemagne as a man dedicated to the education and well-fare of his children, Charlemagne had “both boys and girls educated in the liberal arts” he was also sure to protect his daughters even going so far as to have ” a number of his body-guard, detailed for their protection” (source). Portraying him in such a way would possibly help keep the future speculations about him favorable. Throughout the text Einhard praises Charlemagne’s dedication to his country and family in order for future generations could remember the greatness of Charlemagne and his rule.

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