Remembering kings past
Book Description
In the monasteries of medieval southwestern France, monks crafted extraordinary tales that would reshape their communities' destinies for centuries. Between 1000 and 1250, these religious communities wove intricate legends around three legendary kings—Clovis, Pippin the Short, and the mighty Charlemagne—claiming these rulers as their founders despite having little actual contact with royal power.
Amy G. Remensnyder unveils how these monastic communities transformed storytelling into a powerful tool for spiritual and institutional survival. Through forged documents, sacred texts, epic songs, and even architectural elements, the monks created compelling narratives that served far more than mere entertainment. These imaginative reconstructions of history became shields against threats to their independence and sources of unshakeable identity.
What emerges is a fascinating portrait of how communities can harness the power of collective memory to secure their place in an uncertain world. The monks' legendary tales reveal profound truths about human nature and the ways spiritual communities adapt and thrive. Their stories demonstrate that the boundary between historical fact and meaningful fiction often matters less than the transformative power of shared belief.
This exploration of medieval France offers timeless insights into how any community—religious or secular—can draw strength from its chosen narratives. Remensnyder shows that the stories we tell about our origins shape not only how we see ourselves, but how we navigate present challenges with courage and purpose.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~10 hours)
📄 Length: 376 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Monasticism and religious orders, france
- ✓ Explore Monasticism and religious orders
- ✓ Explore Legends, Christian
- ✓ Explore Folklore
- ✓ Explore Christian Legends
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore France, church history
