Rudolf of Fulda
Rudolf of Fulda (died March 8, 862) was a Benedictine monk during the Carolingian period in the 9th century. Rudolf was active at Fulda Abbey in the present-day German state of Hesse. He was one of the most distinguished scholars of his time. Many of his works have been lost. However, his Annals of Fulda and Life of St. Leoba survive. Life Rudolf of Fulda was a monk of the Benedictine monastery at Fulda. It is uncertain when he was born. There exists no surviving record of his early ecclesiastical life. Furthermore, there exists no record of his family lineage. Only the date of his death is known from a reference made to "the late monk of Fulda" in a passage from the Annals of Fulda dated 865. By the year 821, Rudolf was made subdeacon of the monastery ("... a cleric in the lowest of the former major orders of the Roman Catholic Church"). Rudolf was a devoted theologian, historian, poet and "...a most notable practitioner of all the arts". Rudolf of Fulda was a pupil of Rabanus Maurus and together they oversaw a collection of two thousand manuscripts, including a copy of Tacitus’ Germania, which indicated the monastery's importance as not only a place of worship, but also a highly important library. It is probable that, after the elevation of Rhabanus to the Archiepiscopal See of Mainz, Rudolf followed him thence, and only towards the close of his life took up his permanent residence once more at Fulda. Work Rudolf is considered to be one of the most important writers of his time and wrote several works: Annales Fuldenses ("The Annals of Fulda") were started by Einhard and continued by Rudolf (838–863). Most notable of Rudolf's work are the Annals of Fulda, composed between 838 and 901. First contributed by Einhard, Rudolf of Fulda continued the work from 838 to 863. The Annals of Fulda are considered to be one of the most fundamental primary sources of the 9th-century Carolingian period with works dating from 838 to 901. The "Annales" are valuable contributions to the general history of the period on account of his close connection with the court. Within this work, Rudolf of Fulda makes direct reference to Tacitus’ Germania. Vita Leobae Abbatissae Biscofesheimensis''', a biography of Saint Leoba of Tauberbischofsheim (most likely written in 838). Written and composed in the year 836, the "Life of St. Leoba" represents the first known biography of a Saxon woman and is one of Rudolf's most debated works. Written at the suggestion of his master Rabanus, Rudolf (838) compiled, from notes of the priest Mego and from oral tradition. Scholarly critique surrounding this work has focused on the gender roles. The hagiography of St. Leoba is seen as a tool of reinforcing gendered roles, as Rudolf of Fulda alters St. Leoba's accomplishments and actions to reinforce the Benedictine reforms which occurred after her death.Miracula sanctorum in Fuldenses ecclesias translatorum (843–847): This record is said to have been composed between 842