The Royal Frankish Annals, also known as the Annales regni Francorum, refer to a historical source in the form of annals or chronicles that details events and occurrences throughout the Carolingian Empire during the eighth and ninth centuries. It serves as a valuable record of the political, social, and military history of the Frankish Kingdom and its successors.
Composed in Latin, the annals cover a wide range of topics, including military campaigns, the reigns of various kings and emperors, political alliances, religious events, and natural disasters. The entries provide a chronological account of significant events, often emphasizing the actions of the Frankish rulers and their interaction with other European powers, such as the Byzantine Empire and the Lombards.
The Royal Frankish Annals are considered a vital primary source for our understanding of the Carolingian era and the formation of feudal society. Their authorship remains unknown, but they are believed to have been compiled by various anonymous scribes and later revised and expanded by other scholars.
These annals provide valuable insights into the political developments of the Frankish Empire, including the rise of Charlemagne, his coronation as Emperor of the Carolingian Empire in 800, and subsequent events like the Viking raids, civil wars, and the eventual disintegration of the empire. The Royal Frankish Annals remain an essential reference for historians studying the political and military history of the Carolingian era and shed light on the dynamics of medieval European kingdoms.
