Historical story

The Myth of Charlemagne. Chat with the historian Davide Esposito

Charlemagne , a man, a symbol, a myth. His exploits have inspired countless poets and singers and historical non-fiction is teeming with texts concerning his biography, and often the myth of Charlemagne has taken over the life and history of this incredible character, central to the dynamics that would lead to the definition. of europe as we know it.

I was able to hold a long and interesting telephone chat with Davide Esposito , graduated in history and specialized in medieval history at the University of Naples Federico II , currently engaged in a PhD at that same university.

I phoned Davide for an interview focused on his historical essay, entitled " the myth of Charlemagne:the origins of French society "Derived from his master's degree thesis, but I was unable to faithfully transcribe the answers, consequently, in this article I will try to summarize our telephone conversation as faithfully as possible, and to do so it is appropriate to reconstruct the reasons that led Davide into concentrate their studies on the Middle Ages and on the figure of Charlemagne.

So let's start by identifying the basis on which the entire thesis rests and consequently his book.

I asked Davide to explain to me what was at the basis of his relationship with the Middle Ages, and in answering me I was mentioned Marc Bloch , probably the most authoritative and famous historian of the last century, and his " the Feudal society ", As the inspiration of that interest and passion that would have prompted him to study and deepen medieval dynamics. This interest then evolved into something broader, an interest in understanding the dynamics and structures of our society, and in this I was quoted by Mauro Pesce , according to which, the humanities should have a social function, a function aimed at better understanding our society. We could therefore say that according to Pesce, studying the Middle Ages can help improve one's daily life.

Having made this premise on the origins of David's interests in the Middle Ages, the time has come to dwell on the central theme of the book, that is, the Myth of Charlemagne.

According to historian Anthony Smith , a “ mitomotor exists in the Middle Ages ”, A sort of common root made up of symbols, uses, customs, etc., around which future national identities would develop and form. This thesis is very interesting and at the same time much discussed and in some cases criticized, an interesting critique of this thesis was made by the Italian historian Giuseppe Serchi , and it is from the criticism of Serchi that Davide's work starts and he inserts himself into the question by hypothesizing in his thesis that Charlemagne is the Mythomotor at the base of the subsequent French culture and identity.

In his essay he focuses on the political role assumed by the myth of Charlemagne especially in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, in the orbit of Capetingia propaganda engaged in the reconstruction of an ancient dynastic line, aimed at creating what at the end of the Middle Ages would become the French national state or rather, the kingdom of France.

We can observe that in this reading of the myth of Charlemagne, literature assumes an above all political role that makes it difficult to separate history, myth and propaganda, and precisely political propaganda in the central centuries of the late Middle Ages becomes a central element, a cornerstone of that. which is currently the research work of Davide, whose PhD focuses on the political and propaganda nature of Chanson de Jerusalem in which the capture of Jerusalem during the first crusade is narrated.

The Myth of Charlemagne at the origins of the French society is currently only available in digital format, if you are interested you can buy it by clicking here

Davide Esposito - The myth of Charlemagne