ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to take an important first step toward the goal by assessing the information regarding military affairs that is provided in the exceptionally important Histories, written by Charlemagne’s grandson Nithard between 840 and 842. The assessment of Nithard’s Histories and the information that he provides regarding military matters must begin with an understanding of his background, his knowledge of military affairs, the purpose for which he wrote, and the intended audience for the text. Nithard’s didactic purpose also provided him with a strong incentive to provide accurate information so as to give proper lessons with respect to effective and ineffective military decision-making. Of primary importance, given the attention that Nithard devotes to the topic, is the crucial relationship between political and military affairs. In Nithard’s account, the fighting and winning of battles comprised the final stage in a lengthy diplomatic, political, and propaganda struggle to demonstrate both the moral and practical superiority over one’s foes.
