Title: The book of emperors : a translation of the Middle High German Kaiserchronik /
Authors: Myers, Henry Allen, 1934-
Publisher: West Virginia University Press,
Year: 2013
Subjects: Kaiserchronik.; Middle Ages Historiography; German poetry Middle High German Translations into English.; Germany Historiography.
Abstract: "The Kaiserchronik (c.1152–1165) is the first verse chronicle to have been written in a language other than Latin. This story recounts the exploits of the Roman, Byzantine, Carolingian, and Holy Roman kings and rulers, from the establishment of Rome to the start of the Second Crusade. As an early example of popular history, it was written for a non-monastic audience who would have preferred to read, or may only have been able to read, in German. As a rhymed chronicle, its combined use of the styles of language found within a vernacular epic and a factual treaty was a German innovation. The Book of Emperors is the first complete translation of the Kaiserchronik from Middle High German to English. It is a rich resource not only for medieval German scholars and students, but also for those working in early cultural studies. It brings together an understanding of the conception of kingship in the German Middle Ages, from the relationship between emperor and king, to the moral, theological, and legal foundations of claims and legitimacy and the medieval epistemological approaches to historiography. This translation includes a substantial introduction that discusses the historical and philological context of the work, as well as the themes of power and kingship. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction that distinguishes historical truths from the epic fiction found within the original text."--
Contents: Introduction -- 1. The Book of Emperors and its Treatment of History -- 1.1. The tradition of world historiography in the Middle Ages: Augustine, Orosius, and Otto of Freising -- 1.2. Mid-twelfth-century Germany: "deeds" replace the "two cities" -- 1.3. "I tell you this for sure" -- 2. The Value of the Book of Emperors as a Source of Intellectual History -- 2.1. The ancient law uniting church and empire -- 2.2. rue kingship -- 2.3. The Donation of Constantine and the translation of Empire -- 2.4. Christian clemency and draconic law enforcement -- 2.5. Prayer-answering as within a feudal contract -- 3. Composition and Utilization of the Work -- 3.1. Authorship -- 3.2. Patronage -- 3.3. Sources -- 3.4. Influence -- 4. Stylistic Considerations -- 4.1. The author's style: scholarly urgency -- 4.2. This translation -- 4.3. This title -- The Book of Emperors -- Prologue [1-42] --