ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the foundations and close ties to contemporary politics of the three early medieval convents. Ebroin († c. 680), mayor of the palace of Neustria, founded Notre-Dame close to the border of Austrasia, which he sought to subject to his authority. Buchau’s foundation happened a century later (c. 770) in the context of the Frankish consolidation of power over Alemannia. Finally, Fraumünster of Zurich (853) was the only personal monastic foundation of Louis the German, whose daughters would serve not only as abbesses but also as royal representatives in the region. As was typical for the period, all three convents were endowed with important territorial possessions along with manorial, feudal, and patronage rights. Of the three, Fraumünster’s endowment was the most lavish one, providing the abbey with an important and connected territory. Buchau’s possessions were much smaller but equally closely connected, while Notre-Dame was wealthy in terms of land that, however, lacked connectivity. Despite these differences, all three convents were set up as important political and economic players from the outset. They maintained those roles throughout their existence, although with varying success.
