The continuations of Frutolf of Michelsberg's chronicle

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Frutolf of Michelsberg’s Chronicle, completed around 1099, is a pivotal historical work of the Middle Ages, providing a comprehensive account of world history from Creation to the end of the eleventh century. Its importance led to numerous continuations and adaptations by 1125, traditionally attributed to Abbot Ekkehard of Aura, who is thought to have approached Frutolf’s pro-imperial narrative from a pro-Gregorian angle. This study is the first in-depth examination of the early twelfth-century continuations of Frutolf’s Chronicle. Through meticulous textual, palaeographical, and historiographical analysis, McCarthy challenges the attribution to Ekkehard, concluding that only one continuation can be reasonably linked to him. This finding significantly reshapes the understanding of Ekkehard, revealing that he did not continue Frutolf’s autograph manuscript, was not a crusader, and had no association with the young Henry V. Instead of the established narrative surrounding Ekkehard, McCarthy presents compelling evidence of the interactions with Frutolf’s Chronicle in early twelfth-century Bamberg. The study illuminates the practice of historical writing and underscores the crucial role of medieval scribes in shaping our understanding of history.