Archbishop Hincmar of Rheims (d. 882) is a crucial figure for all those interested in early medieval European history in general, and Carolingian history in particular. For forty years he was an advisor to kings and religious controversialist; his works are a key source for the political, religious and social history of the later ninth century, covering topics from papal politics to the abduction of women and the role of parish priests.

For the first time since Jean Devisses biography of Hincmar in the 1970s, this book offers a three-dimensional examination of a figure whose actions and writings in different fields are often studied in isolation. It brings together the latest international research across the spectrum of his varied activities, as history-writer, estate administrator, hagiographer, canonist, pastorally engaged bishop, and politically minded royal advisor. The introduction also provides the first substantial English-language survey of Hincmars whole career.

1. Introduction Rachel Stone
2. The bearing of Hincmars life on his historical writing Janet L. Nelson
3. To fight with words: the case of Hincmar of Laon in the Annals of St. Bertin Christine Kleinjung
4. An unfortunate necessity? Hincmar and Lothar I Elina Screen
5. We are between the hammer and the anvil: Hincmar in the crisis of 875 Clémentine Bernard-Valette
6. Hincmars influence during Louis the Stammerers reign Margaret McCarthy
7. Hincmar and his Roman legal sources Simon Corcoran
8. Hincmar et la loi revisited: on Hincmars use of capitularies Philippe Depreux
9. The bishop and the law, according to Hincmars Life of Saint Remigius Marie-Céline Isaïa
10. Family order and kingship according to Hincmar Sylvie Joye
11. The praetor does concern himself with trifles: Hincmar, the polyptych of St-Remi of Rheims and the slaves of Courtisols Josiane Barbier
12. Hincmars parish priests Charles West
13. Heresy in the flesh: Gottschalk of Orbais and the predestination controversy in the archdiocese of Rheims Matthew Bryan Gillis
14. Hincmar, priests and Pseudo-Isidore. The case of Trising in context Mayke de Jong
Bibliography of primary sources
Select bibliography of secondary literature
Index