CHAPTER V.

CHARLEMAGNE AND ALCUIN.--A.D. 747 TO 804.

Decay of letters and Church discipline in Gaul under the Merovingian dynasty. Prospects of a reform under Pepin. St. Chrodegang of Metz. Accession of Charlemagne. His early teachers: Paul Warnefrid, St. Paulinus of Aquileja. Alcuin is invited over into France. Foundation of the Palatine school. Nature of the studies introduced by Alcuin. They are chiefly ecclesiastical. Proof, however, that classical studies were not entirely neglected. Charlemagne’s application to study of all kinds. His introduction of the Roman chant. His attempts to perfect the Tudesque or German dialect. Method of teaching of the Anglo-Saxon scholars. Their fondness for dialogues and enigmas. Alcuin’s correction of the liturgical books. Schools of copyists founded in monasteries. Charlemagne’s public schools. Proofs that these were in every sense monastic schools. Difference between the exterior and interior schools of the Benedictine monasteries. University of Paris, properly so called, of far later date. Great men who took part in the restoration of learning under Charlemagne: Theodulph of Orleans, Smaragdus, St. Benedict Anian, St. Adalhard. Alcuin at Tours. Clement and Dungal. Death of Alcuin. 113