Einhard, Sulpicius Severus And Bede

When comparing the Christian books of Einhard, Sulpicius Severus and Bede the contrariety in the content and style of the works becomes apparent. Despite the differences in their works, the Christian writers have a common goal; all three wrote propaganda type histories. While all three propaganda works promote models of Christianity, they are all presented in vastly different ways. The different ways each author treats the use of violence with his subjects creates distinction between the propagandist’s works. Einhard promotes Charlemagne as a Christian model that uses violence to impose his will, Sulpicius Servius’ model of Christianity is completely opposed to any use of violence, and in Bede’s work the use of violence shows the will of God

In Severus’ Life of St. Martin he describes Saint Martin as a very Christ like humble, devout character. He is beyond worldly possession and more about creating a connection with God. In the biography Severus portrays Severus as completely opposed to violence. St. Martin never used violence by any means even in the face of imminent death. An example of this is when Martin converts a robber to the Christian faith. In this story robbers stop St. Martin while he is on a journey and threatens to kill him. Instead of using any form of violence to escape the predicament St. Martin tells the robber he has no fear because of his faith in God and says that the robbers would wind up in hell for the immoral lives they are living. St. Martin preaches the word of God to the robbers and they let him go and allow Martin to continue on his journey. One of the robbers was so influenced by this encounter with Saint Matter that they eventually converted to Christianity, “That same robber was afterwards seen leading a religious life; so that, in fact, the narrative I have given above is based upon an account furnished by himself” (Sulpicius Severus, Chapter V). This example of St. Martin choosing not to fight to save his life displays Severus’ portrayal of a nonviolent Christian model. Another story of St. Martin using nonviolence in the face of imminent death was when he offered his neck to an assassin. In the village of the Edu Martin was overthrowing a temple. In retaliation an angry mob of nonbelievers rush upon St. Martin. A member of the mob attacked St. Martin with a drawn sword and Martin oddly reacts by offering his bare neck to the heathen. However, before striking the nonbeliever is struck with the fear of God and begs Martin for forgiveness. In the same chapter Severus tells the audience that there are other examples of Severus reacting in similar ways in