Annales Fuldenses

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The Annales Fuldenses or Annals of Fulda is a medieval chronicle.

The text covers the period from the last years of united Frankish rule under Louis the Pious (died 840) up to the end of effective Carolingian rule in east Francia with the accession of Louis the Child in 900.

The "Annales Fuldenses" were begun by Einhard and continued along the same lines by Rudolf of Fulda. The Fulda annals are valuable contributions to the general history of the period on account of his close connection with the court.

The Annals of Fulda were composed at the monastery of Fulda at Hessen in modern day Germany. The annals record the period from 714 to 901 and are considered to be 'East Frankish' in its outlook.

They are seen as a continuation of the Royal Frankish Annals, it appears that most of the material from the annals before 830 was copied from this. The frankish historian and servant of Charlemagne, Einhard started the annals until 838. After this Rudolf of Fulda took over and continued the annals.

The events recorded in the annals include the death of Louis the Pious and the subsequent dividing of the Frankish Empire into 3 parts at the Treaty of Verdun. After 860, the annals focuses mainly on events in eastern Frankia and on its king Louis the German and his sons. It also describes in some detail the raids conducted by the Vikings in the Frankish Empire from 845 onwards. Other events recorded in the annals include various 'miraculous' events such as comets, earthquakes and disease. The annals end with in 901, a year after the succession of Louis the Child.

Along with the Annals of St Bertin (which tends to focus more on western Frankia), the Annals of Fulda are the principal historical primary source for ninth century Carolingian studies.

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