Charlemagne: Translated Sources
By P.D. King
The reign of Charlemagne (born 742, King from 768, Emperor from 800, died 814), was one of expansion for the Carolingian Empire. It would be a rare for a year to go by where Charlemagne did not have his armies engaged in warfare, either against Saxons, Northmen, Moors or other enemies. A great deal of sources remain which shed light on the campaigns and military affairs during this period. Several different sources are offered below:
The accounts for the years 775 to 776 from the Annals of the Kingdom of the Franks
The accounts for the years 782 to 784 from the Revised Annals of the Kingdom of the Franks
The accounts for the years 808 to 810 from the Annals of the Kingdom of the Franks
The account of the siege of Barcelona in 801 and warfare in Moorish Spain, from the Life of Louis the Pious
Three capitularies detailing military affairs in the Carolingian Empire
These texts were first translated in Charlemagne: Translated Sources, by P.D. King (Kendal, 1987). We thank Professor King for his permission to include these items. First published in 1987, Charlemagne: Translated Sources is one of the best collections of primary sources translated into English available. The items available in this work include:
Annals of the Kingdom of the Franks (also known as the Royal Frankish Annals)
Revised Annals of the Kingdom of the Franks
Moselle Annals
Lorsch Annals
Moissac Chronicle
Life of Louis the Pious, by the Astronomer
Lives of Stephen III, Hadrian I and Leo III, from The Book of Popes
30 Capitularies, dating between 769 - 813
The Caroline Code
Also a selection of letters and other minor chronicles
P. D. King also provides a description of the nature of these sources as well as a detailed history of the events of Charlemagne's reign. Professor King sells this publication privately, and if you are interested in this work, please contact him by postal mail at:
P.D. King
Moresdale Hall
Lambrigg
Kendal
Cumbria, United Kingdom
LA8 0DH
Telephone: (01539) 824 697