- Radboud Universiteit
Postbus 9103
6500 HC Nijmegen
the Netherlands - +31 (0)24 361 2751
Sven Meeder
Radboud University Nijmegen, Faculty of Arts, Faculty Member
- Medieval History, Intellectual History, Early Medieval History, Irish History, Manuscripts (Medieval Studies), Palaeography, and 14 moreCanon Law, Identity (Culture), Philology, Manuscript Studies, Medieval Theology, Medieval Latin Literature, Medieval Canon & Roman Law, Early Medieval Ireland, Carolingian Studies, Merovingian period, Networks and Neighbours, Early Middle Ages (History), Carolingian History, and Immo Warntjesedit
- My research focuses on the interplay between identity, scholarship, and politics in the early Middle Ages. Currently,... moreMy research focuses on the interplay between identity, scholarship, and politics in the early Middle Ages. Currently, I am working on the notion of a Bavarian identity in relation to the burgeoning tradition of scholarship in eighth- and ninth-century Bavaria. I am particularly interested in the ways in which a (politically motivated) sense of identity shaped the dissemination of ideas and learning. This research involves detailed manuscript and textual study, including a critical edition of the intriguing eighth-century collection of canon law, known as the Collectio 400 Capitulorum.edit
The historical foundation of Benedict of Nursia, the monastery of Monte Cassino was refounded in the eighth century, and quickly grew to become one of the most important religious centres in early medieval Europe. Although located at the... more
The historical foundation of Benedict of Nursia, the monastery of Monte Cassino was refounded in the eighth century, and quickly grew to become one of the most important religious centres in early medieval Europe. Although located at the periphery of the Carolingian world, Monte Cassino’s association with St Benedict ensured its crucial importance for the Carolingian rulers and monastic networks in Francia. The monastery’s geographical position engendered relations with centres in Benevento and papal Rome, as well as with Byzantium to the east. The network of knowledge facilitating its scholarly growth, however, seems chiefly to have looked northwards. This chapter studies the earliest extant manuscript material from Monte Cassino and concludes that the intellectual relations were in fact predominantly focused on the Carolingian centres in northern Italy and across the Alps.
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in: Rob Meens et al. (eds.), Religious Franks. Religion and power in the Frankish Kingdoms: Studies in honour of Mayke de Jong (Manchester, 2016). We have grown accustomed to viewing relations between the Carolingian court and the... more
in: Rob Meens et al. (eds.), Religious Franks. Religion and power in the Frankish Kingdoms: Studies in honour of Mayke de Jong (Manchester, 2016).
We have grown accustomed to viewing relations between the Carolingian court and the monasteries within the realm in terms of politics and economics. Confirmation charters and (land) grants are evidence of transactions with benefits for both parties, often very material in nature or closely related to worldly power. The relations with the abbey of Monte Cassino break this paradigm somewhat, not only because it was situated outside the Carolingian empire, but also because its spiritual prestige trumped any worldly benefit to be gained. This essay studies the interplay between power politics and religion in the Carolingians' relations with Monte Cassino.
We have grown accustomed to viewing relations between the Carolingian court and the monasteries within the realm in terms of politics and economics. Confirmation charters and (land) grants are evidence of transactions with benefits for both parties, often very material in nature or closely related to worldly power. The relations with the abbey of Monte Cassino break this paradigm somewhat, not only because it was situated outside the Carolingian empire, but also because its spiritual prestige trumped any worldly benefit to be gained. This essay studies the interplay between power politics and religion in the Carolingians' relations with Monte Cassino.
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in: R. Flechner and S. Meeder (eds.), The Irish in Early Medieval Europe: Identity, Culture and Religion (London/New York, 2016), 195-213
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in: R. Flechner and S. Meeder (eds.), The Irish in Early Medieval Europe: Identity, Culture and Religion (London/New York, 2016), 179-94.
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The tract known as the Synodus II. S. Patricii is one of the earliest surviving canon law texts from Ireland. It has special signifiance as an early and important source of the "Romani" faction of the Irish Church. The work survives in... more
The tract known as the Synodus II. S. Patricii is one of the earliest surviving canon law texts from Ireland. It has special signifiance as an early and important source of the "Romani" faction of the Irish Church. The work survives in two recensions, and like many Irish canon law texts, it has come to us in continental manuscripts only. In the past, the younger recension was considered to be the result of a confused continental scribe, not recognising the references to Irish circumstances. By exploring the relationship between the two recensions, and focusing on the meaning of the alterations, this article argues that the last recension was in fact the work of an early eighth-century Irish scholar, deliberately revising this particular sample of Irish Canon law scholarship to appeal to a new audience.
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One of the few Irishmen active on the Continent in the eighth century of whom we have some information was a priest (or bishop) named Clemens. Together with the Gaul Aldebert, this peregrinus was the subject of an extensive correspondence... more
One of the few Irishmen active on the Continent in the eighth century of whom we have some information was a priest (or bishop) named Clemens. Together with the Gaul Aldebert, this peregrinus was the subject of an extensive correspondence between Boniface and the pope, which eventually led to the condemnation of both men at the Roman Council of 745. The accusations brought against Clemens by Boniface display parallels with known Irish teachings and practices, as well as other allegations leveled against individual traveling Irishmen and the Irish in general. This article closely examines the context of Boniface's charges and introduces an additional source to the framing of his arguments. It argues that the allegations must be viewed in the context of both contemporary practices and debates in Irish church and society, and the portrayal of these Irish peculiarities in texts written in and spread throughout the mid-eighth-century Continent and Anglo-Saxon England.
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In 1929 the great James Kenney argued that the early Irish Stowe Missal must have been produced as a private service-book which a priest could easily carry around with him, but in recent decades scholars have claimed, either explicitly or... more
In 1929 the great James Kenney argued that the early Irish Stowe Missal must have been produced as a private service-book which a priest could easily carry around with him, but in recent decades scholars have claimed, either explicitly or implicitly, a different purpose for it. The codicological arguments proposed by Kenney are nevertheless still valid and this paper will argue that close linguistic examination of the manuscript's liturgical contents supports the theory that the Stowe Missal was an itinerarium, a book for a travelling cleric.
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The Carolingian period represented a Golden Age for the abbey of St Gall, an Alpine monastery in modern-day Switzerland. Its bloom of intellectual activity resulted in an impressive number of scholarly texts being copied into often... more
The Carolingian period represented a Golden Age for the abbey of St Gall, an Alpine monastery in modern-day Switzerland. Its bloom of intellectual activity resulted in an impressive number of scholarly texts being copied into often beautifully written manuscripts, many of which survive in the abbey's library to this day. Among these books are several of Irish origin, while others contain works of learning originally written in Ireland. This study explores the practicalities of the spread of this Irish scholarship to St Gall and the reception it received once there. In doing so, this book for the first time investigates a part of the network of knowledge that fed this important Carolingian centre of learning with scholarship.
By focusing on scholarly works from Ireland, this study also sheds light on the contribution of the Irish to the Carolingian revival of learning. Historians have often assumed a special relationship between Ireland and the abbey of St Gall, which was built on the grave of the Irish saint Gallus. This book scrutinises this notion of a special connection. The result is a new viewpoint on the spread and reception of Irish learning in the Carolingian period.
By focusing on scholarly works from Ireland, this study also sheds light on the contribution of the Irish to the Carolingian revival of learning. Historians have often assumed a special relationship between Ireland and the abbey of St Gall, which was built on the grave of the Irish saint Gallus. This book scrutinises this notion of a special connection. The result is a new viewpoint on the spread and reception of Irish learning in the Carolingian period.
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Irish scholars who arrived in Continental Europe in the early Middle Ages are often credited with making some of the most important contributions to European culture and learning of the time, from the introduction of a new calendar to... more
Irish scholars who arrived in Continental Europe in the early Middle Ages are often credited with making some of the most important contributions to European culture and learning of the time, from the introduction of a new calendar to monastic reform. Among them were celebrated personalities such as St Columbanus, John Scottus Eriugena, and Sedulius Scottus who were in the vanguard of a constant stream of arrivals from Ireland to continental Europe, collectively known as 'peregrini'. The continental response to this Irish 'diaspora' ranged from admiration to open hostility, especially when peregrini were deemed to challenge prevalent cultural or spiritual conventions.
This volume brings together leading historians, archaeologists, and palaeographers who provide—for the first time—a comprehensive assessment of the phenomenon of Irish peregrini in their continental context and the manner in which it is framed by modern scholarship as well as the popular imagination.
This volume brings together leading historians, archaeologists, and palaeographers who provide—for the first time—a comprehensive assessment of the phenomenon of Irish peregrini in their continental context and the manner in which it is framed by modern scholarship as well as the popular imagination.
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http://hildemar.org Hildemar of Corbie's Commentary on the Rule of Benedict (ca. 845CE) is a major source for the history of monasticism, but it has long been accessible only in two obscure nineteenth-century editions of its Latin... more
http://hildemar.org
Hildemar of Corbie's Commentary on the Rule of Benedict (ca. 845CE) is a major source for the history of monasticism, but it has long been accessible only in two obscure nineteenth-century editions of its Latin text. The goal of the Hildemar Project is to make the entire commentary more accessible for research and teaching purposes. The first step is to provide a fully searchable version of the Latin text along with an English translation. This translation is a collaborative effort of more than fifty scholars, including specialists in monasticism, Latin, manuscripts studies, and Carolingian history.
Currently a slightly revised version of the Latin text from Rupert Mittermüller’s edition [Regensburg, 1880] is available on the site. The translation of all seventy-three chapters – one for each chapter of Benedict’s Rule – is now complete.
The website also provides a complete list of the manuscripts of Hildemar’s Commentary (with links to manuscript catalogues and manuscripts available online) and a complete bibliography of scholarship on Hildemar and his work.
The next step in the project will be to improve the Latin text presented on the website by providing links to the different versions of Hildemar’s work. Users will be able to compare the (problematic) nineteenth-century edition with the original manuscripts. A long-term goal of the Hildemar Project is to provide a new edition of Hildemar’s Commentary that meets the standards of a critical edition but also capitalizes on the greater flexibility and customization available in a digital environment.
The Hildemar Project is a collaborative project that profits from the expertise of as many scholars as possible and is tailored to the needs and interests of its users. Any form of feedback, suggestions for improvement, identification of sources, or commentary on the Latin text are welcome. Please either use the Forum or contact us directly.
Hildemar of Corbie's Commentary on the Rule of Benedict (ca. 845CE) is a major source for the history of monasticism, but it has long been accessible only in two obscure nineteenth-century editions of its Latin text. The goal of the Hildemar Project is to make the entire commentary more accessible for research and teaching purposes. The first step is to provide a fully searchable version of the Latin text along with an English translation. This translation is a collaborative effort of more than fifty scholars, including specialists in monasticism, Latin, manuscripts studies, and Carolingian history.
Currently a slightly revised version of the Latin text from Rupert Mittermüller’s edition [Regensburg, 1880] is available on the site. The translation of all seventy-three chapters – one for each chapter of Benedict’s Rule – is now complete.
The website also provides a complete list of the manuscripts of Hildemar’s Commentary (with links to manuscript catalogues and manuscripts available online) and a complete bibliography of scholarship on Hildemar and his work.
The next step in the project will be to improve the Latin text presented on the website by providing links to the different versions of Hildemar’s work. Users will be able to compare the (problematic) nineteenth-century edition with the original manuscripts. A long-term goal of the Hildemar Project is to provide a new edition of Hildemar’s Commentary that meets the standards of a critical edition but also capitalizes on the greater flexibility and customization available in a digital environment.
The Hildemar Project is a collaborative project that profits from the expertise of as many scholars as possible and is tailored to the needs and interests of its users. Any form of feedback, suggestions for improvement, identification of sources, or commentary on the Latin text are welcome. Please either use the Forum or contact us directly.
Research Interests: Translation Studies, Monastic Studies, Early Medieval History, Carolingian Studies, Monastic Architecture, and 12 moreReligious congregations and monastic orders, Monasticism, Digital Edition, History of Monasticism, Benedictine History, Merovingian and Carolingian, Early Medieval Monasticism, Benedictine Monasticism, Enclosure, Carolingian History, Early Medieval Period, and Hildemar of Corbie
[@Leeds, IMC 2015] I would not want to go so far as to claim that the Collectio 400 is an insular collection, not yet at least. Yet, I think it is fair to say that the eighth and ninth centuries display a dynamic exchange of canonical... more
[@Leeds, IMC 2015]
I would not want to go so far as to claim that the Collectio 400 is an insular collection, not yet at least. Yet, I think it is fair to say that the eighth and ninth centuries display a dynamic exchange of canonical material and ideas between the British Isles and the Continent to such an extent, in fact, that the local characteristics of canonical material is no longer determines where it might turn up. It is, in other words, part of a pan-European repository of learning.
I would not want to go so far as to claim that the Collectio 400 is an insular collection, not yet at least. Yet, I think it is fair to say that the eighth and ninth centuries display a dynamic exchange of canonical material and ideas between the British Isles and the Continent to such an extent, in fact, that the local characteristics of canonical material is no longer determines where it might turn up. It is, in other words, part of a pan-European repository of learning.
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In: Geschiedenis Magazine 51.6 (2016), pp. 38-42 In de geschiedschrijving van de Karolingische cultuur krijgen Ieren altijd een grote rol toebedeeld. Zo tussen 600 en 800 zouden geëmigreerde Ierse geleerden onevenredig veel hebben... more
In: Geschiedenis Magazine 51.6 (2016), pp. 38-42
In de geschiedschrijving van de Karolingische cultuur krijgen Ieren altijd een grote rol toebedeeld. Zo tussen 600 en 800 zouden geëmigreerde Ierse geleerden onevenredig veel hebben bijgedragen aan het geestelijk leven op het vasteland. Wie de bronnen erop naslaat, ziet inderdaad veel Ierse namen. Maar wat betekent dat precies?
In de geschiedschrijving van de Karolingische cultuur krijgen Ieren altijd een grote rol toebedeeld. Zo tussen 600 en 800 zouden geëmigreerde Ierse geleerden onevenredig veel hebben bijgedragen aan het geestelijk leven op het vasteland. Wie de bronnen erop naslaat, ziet inderdaad veel Ierse namen. Maar wat betekent dat precies?
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In the Doetinchem archive, two pieces of parchment have been identified as fragments of a ninth-century copy of Gregory the Great's homilies. This article contains an analysis of the fragments and presents a short overview of the evidence... more
In the Doetinchem archive, two pieces of parchment have been identified as fragments of a ninth-century copy of Gregory the Great's homilies. This article contains an analysis of the fragments and presents a short overview of the evidence of the spread of Gregory's homilies in the early medieval low countries.
(In het Erfgoedcentrum Achterhoek en Liemers te Doetinchem bevinden zich twee stukjes beschreven perkament die zijn gebruikt als schutblad voor de rekening van het stadsbestuur van Doetinchem voor het jaar 1533. Op het moment dat deze stadsrekening werd opgemaakt waren de perkamenten fragmenten al zo'n zes eeuwen oud. Deze bladen maakten namelijk oorspronkelijk deel uit van een negende-eeuws boek gevuld met preken van paus Gregorius de Grote (ob. 604). De fragmenten vormen nu het oudste bezit van het Erfgoedcentrum en zijn een aanleiding om eens nader te kijken naar de aanwezigheid van de teksten van Gregorius de Grote in de negende-eeuwse Lage Landen.)
(In het Erfgoedcentrum Achterhoek en Liemers te Doetinchem bevinden zich twee stukjes beschreven perkament die zijn gebruikt als schutblad voor de rekening van het stadsbestuur van Doetinchem voor het jaar 1533. Op het moment dat deze stadsrekening werd opgemaakt waren de perkamenten fragmenten al zo'n zes eeuwen oud. Deze bladen maakten namelijk oorspronkelijk deel uit van een negende-eeuws boek gevuld met preken van paus Gregorius de Grote (ob. 604). De fragmenten vormen nu het oudste bezit van het Erfgoedcentrum en zijn een aanleiding om eens nader te kijken naar de aanwezigheid van de teksten van Gregorius de Grote in de negende-eeuwse Lage Landen.)
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Networks of Knowledge (NoK) & Networks and Neighbours (N&N) are two projects dedicated to interrogating social, political and intellectual connectivity, competition and communication between persons, places and things in Late Antiquity... more
Networks of Knowledge (NoK) & Networks and Neighbours (N&N) are two projects dedicated to interrogating social, political and intellectual connectivity, competition and communication between persons, places and things in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. We are excited to announce that we have come together to bring you an international, interdisciplinary conference on social and intellectual networking in the Early Middle Ages. For full details see the CfP.
The proposal deadline is: 1 March 2017.
The proposal deadline is: 1 March 2017.
Research Interests: History, Ancient History, European History, Intellectual History, Archaeology, and 37 moreRoman History, Jewish Studies, Medieval History, Medieval Studies, Late Antique Archaeology, Identity (Culture), Early Christianity, Mediterranean Studies, Early Medieval Archaeology, Ancient Mediterranean Religions, Early Medieval History, Paleography, Medieval Archaeology, Late Antiquity, Islamic Studies, Social History, History of the Mediterranean, Early Middle Ages (History), Religious History, Spain (History), Visigothic Spain, Early medieval numismatics, Medieval Spain, Late Antiquity, Visigothic Spain, Postmedieval Archaeology, Medieval History of Spain, early Middle Ages, Middle Ages, Population Connectivity, Jews of Medieval Spain, Visigoths, Network Theory, Lombards, Connectivity, Barbarians and Romans in Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages, Roman Archaeology, and Literature and Culture In Medieval Spain
Pre-CfP for the fourth Networks and Neighbours (N&N) and first Networks of Knowledge (NoK) international conference: 'Social Networking in the Early Middle Ages'. N&N and NoK are working together to organise, convene and publish the... more
Pre-CfP for the fourth Networks and Neighbours (N&N) and first Networks of Knowledge (NoK) international conference: 'Social Networking in the Early Middle Ages'. N&N and NoK are working together to organise, convene and publish the proceedings of this interdisciplinary conference, which will be free, open to all, and held at Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, from 31 August to 2 September 2017.
Research Interests: History, European History, Archaeology, Comparative Literature, Anthropology, and 27 morePhilosophy, Reception Studies, Medieval History, Patristics, Literature, Social Networking, Medieval Studies, Actor Network Theory, Poststructuralism, Continental Philosophy, Manuscript Studies, Contemporary French Philosophy, Mediterranean Studies, Early Medieval Archaeology, Medieval Church History, Early Medieval History, Literary Theory, Postmodernism, Late Antiquity, Memory Studies, Social Network Analysis (SNA), Historical Theory, Carolingian Studies, Literary History, Early Middle Ages (History), Postmodern Literary Theory and Popular Culture, and Visigothic Spain
Networks of Knowledge (NoK) & Networks and Neighbours (N&N) are two projects dedicated to interrogating social, political and intellectual connectivity, competition and communication between persons, places and things in Late Antiquity... more
Networks of Knowledge (NoK) & Networks and Neighbours (N&N) are two projects dedicated to interrogating social, political and intellectual connectivity, competition and communication between persons, places and things in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. We are excited to announce that we have come together to bring you an international, interdisciplinary conference on social and intellectual networking in the Early Middle Ages. For full details, please see the CfP. The deadline for paper proposals is: 1 March 2017.
Research Interests: History, Ancient History, Intellectual History, Archaeology, Classics, and 19 moreLatin Literature, Medieval History, Late Antique Archaeology, Identity (Culture), Early Christianity, Jewish History, Mediterranean Studies, Early Medieval Archaeology, Early Medieval History, Paleography, Late Antiquity, Late Roman Empire, Early Middle Ages (History), Medieval Jewish History, Roman Empire, Mediterranean archaeology, Social Network Theory, Middle Ages, and Barbarians and Romans in Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages
To what extent have our current notions of reform and correctio been shaped by the secondary literature on the subject? To what extent do contemporary sources reflect the terminology being used in modern historiography, and vice versa?... more
To what extent have our current notions of reform and correctio been shaped by the secondary literature on the subject?
To what extent do contemporary sources reflect the terminology being used in modern historiography, and vice versa?
To what extent do ideas about early medieval states, politics, histor(iograph)y etc. impinge on our idea of "reform" at the time?
This workshop hopes to take a fresh look at Carolingian correctio starting from these three issues, since they have strongly influenced, if not determined, the discussion about "reforms" over the past decades.
To what extent do contemporary sources reflect the terminology being used in modern historiography, and vice versa?
To what extent do ideas about early medieval states, politics, histor(iograph)y etc. impinge on our idea of "reform" at the time?
This workshop hopes to take a fresh look at Carolingian correctio starting from these three issues, since they have strongly influenced, if not determined, the discussion about "reforms" over the past decades.
Research Interests: Intellectual History, Medieval Literature, Medieval History, Medieval Studies, Medieval Church History, and 8 moreEarly Medieval History, Papacy (Medieval Church History), History of Political and Institutional Reform, Carolingian Studies, Intellectual and cultural history, Religious History, Religious Studies, and Merovingian and Carolingian
Program - N&N 4 / NoK 1: Social and Intellectual Networking in the Early Middle Ages. A conference to be held in Nijmegen, Netherlands at Radboud University, 31 August - 2 September, 2017. The event is free and open to all.
Research Interests: Critical Theory, History, European History, Intellectual History, Cultural Studies, and 51 moreArchaeology, Gender Studies, Archival Studies, Late Antique and Byzantine History, Library Science, Feminist Theory, Medieval Literature, Social Networks, Medieval History, Hagiography, Literature, Social Networking, Open Access, Open Access Publishing, Medieval Studies, Actor Network Theory, Historiography, Medievalism, Iberian Studies, Critical Thinking, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Medieval Latin Literature, Early Christianity, Manuscript Studies, Medieval Iberian History, Mediterranean Studies, Early Medieval Archaeology, Archives, Early Medieval History, Late Antiquity, Al-Andalus, Medieval Europe, Carolingian Studies, Social History, Early Middle Ages (History), Manuscripts (Medieval Studies), Early Medieval Art, Mediterranean archaeology, Visigothic Spain, Speculative Medievalism, Medieval Spain, Women and Gender Studies, Merovingian and Carolingian, Ostrogoths, Vikings, Intellectual networks, Visigoths, Mozarabic Spain, Barbarians and Romans in Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages, Gothicism, and Early Medieval Period
Het jaar des Heren 697: op een drassig veld in de buurt van Dorestad staat de Friese koning Redbad aan het hoofd van een heidense legerschare. Vandaag neemt hij het op tegen de christelijke hofmeier Pippijn, de leider van het machtige... more
Het jaar des Heren 697: op een drassig veld in de buurt van Dorestad staat de Friese koning Redbad aan het hoofd van een heidense legerschare.
Vandaag neemt hij het op tegen de christelijke hofmeier Pippijn, de leider van het machtige Frankische rijk. Dit is de dag waarop de Friezen weerstand zullen bieden aan het christelijk imperialisme van de Franken. Maar het liep anders...
Dit is hoe we Redbad (of Radboud) kennen in de populaire verbeelding. De heidense Friese leider die het opnam tegen het machtige Frankische rijk en de groeiende invloed van het christendom. Een vorst die streed voor de Friese vrijheid. En zo wordt hij, min of meer, ook beschreven in de historische bronnen. Er is alleen iets met die bronnen aan de hand. Ze zijn allemaal (veel) later opgeschreven dan de gebeurtenissen die ze beschrijven. En uitsluitend door zijn politieke en religieuze tegenstanders. De Frankische kronieken en heiligenlevens hebben van Redbad als het ware een karikatuur gemaakt. Dat is problematisch als je de geschiedenis wilt reconstrueren. Maar dat betekent niet dat er niets te vertellen valt, integendeel. Door deze teksten in hun context te plaatsen en hun politieke boodschap te ontcijferen, wordt het mogelijk om mens en beeldvorming van elkaar te scheiden en krijgen we een beter beeld van wie Redbad was.
In dit boek willen we benadrukken wat we wél kunnen zeggen over Redbad. We beschrijven hoe de middeleeuwse auteurs omgingen met hun recente geschiedenis en hoe zij het verleden gebruikten en inzetten voor hun eigen doelen. Daarmee zullen we niet alleen een tipje oplichten van de sluier van het werk van gespecialiseerde historici, maar bieden we ook inzicht in hoe het tijdloze mechanisme van het gebruik en misbruik van het verleden ons beeld van de geschiedenis kleurt. Met als resultaat een fascinerend, spannend en meeslepend verhaal over een Friese held.
Vandaag neemt hij het op tegen de christelijke hofmeier Pippijn, de leider van het machtige Frankische rijk. Dit is de dag waarop de Friezen weerstand zullen bieden aan het christelijk imperialisme van de Franken. Maar het liep anders...
Dit is hoe we Redbad (of Radboud) kennen in de populaire verbeelding. De heidense Friese leider die het opnam tegen het machtige Frankische rijk en de groeiende invloed van het christendom. Een vorst die streed voor de Friese vrijheid. En zo wordt hij, min of meer, ook beschreven in de historische bronnen. Er is alleen iets met die bronnen aan de hand. Ze zijn allemaal (veel) later opgeschreven dan de gebeurtenissen die ze beschrijven. En uitsluitend door zijn politieke en religieuze tegenstanders. De Frankische kronieken en heiligenlevens hebben van Redbad als het ware een karikatuur gemaakt. Dat is problematisch als je de geschiedenis wilt reconstrueren. Maar dat betekent niet dat er niets te vertellen valt, integendeel. Door deze teksten in hun context te plaatsen en hun politieke boodschap te ontcijferen, wordt het mogelijk om mens en beeldvorming van elkaar te scheiden en krijgen we een beter beeld van wie Redbad was.
In dit boek willen we benadrukken wat we wél kunnen zeggen over Redbad. We beschrijven hoe de middeleeuwse auteurs omgingen met hun recente geschiedenis en hoe zij het verleden gebruikten en inzetten voor hun eigen doelen. Daarmee zullen we niet alleen een tipje oplichten van de sluier van het werk van gespecialiseerde historici, maar bieden we ook inzicht in hoe het tijdloze mechanisme van het gebruik en misbruik van het verleden ons beeld van de geschiedenis kleurt. Met als resultaat een fascinerend, spannend en meeslepend verhaal over een Friese held.