This is the first English translation of Hariulf's History of St Riquier, which describes the history of an important monastic community in northern France from its foundation in the seventh century until the closing years of the eleventh century. Writing in a period of intense religious and political change, Hariulf presents the history of his house as he would like it remembered, as a source of social and political stability and a centre of monastic excellence. Under the protection of its founder and patron, Richer, whose miracles recur throughout the history, Hariulf portrays his brothers in religion at work and worship. He recounts the support the community received from the emperor Charlemagne in building the great monastic church, providing historians with important descriptions of the material and spiritual treasures accumulated by the monks.
In Hariulf's pages we see the creation of a great monastic estate, the problems of maintaining it and the complexities of its management as experienced by a succession of abbots. The tenth-century seizure of the relics of the community's patron, and their recovery during the many conflicts that took place as the Carolingian empire collapsed, reveal the political as well as the religious importance of relics. Hariulf's is a long and sweeping narrative with a cast of many characters; this new translation offers the opportunity to consider the work as an exercise in the writing of history, the creation and representation of the past, and how a community's history might be presented to foster a communal identity in a changed and changing society.

Kathleen Thompson is an independent scholar and senior honorary research fellow in History at the University of Sheffield.

List of abbots of St Riquier and important dates
Introduction
Hariulf's History of St Riquier
Preface
Book I
Book II
Book III
Book IV
Select bibliography
Index