Solium eius aureum imperator Oto direxit regi Botisclavo... Adémar de Chabannes, Boleslas le Vaillant et le trône d’orde Charlemagne
Solium eius aureum imperator Oto direxit regi Botisclavo... Adémar de Chaban- nes, Bolesław the Brave and the golden throne of Charlemagne

Summary/Abstract: The relation of the deeds undertaken by Otto III and of Saint Adalbert of Prague's and Saint Bruno of Querfurt's missions in Central-Eastern Europe in the third book of the Chronicle written by Adémar de Chabannes (died in 1034), is undoubtedly one of the most problematic sources about the history of the region around the year 1000. Although Adémar's work contains several enigmatic elements, the most disputed information given by the chronicler is clearly its statement that Charlemagne's golden throne was given to Bolesław the Brave by Otton III in exchange for Saint Adalbert of Prague's relics. However, the information about the existence of a golden throne which belonged to Charlemagne is clearly not the result of Adémar of Chabannes' well-known tendancy to confabulation. The analysis of written, material and iconographical sources from the 9th to the 11th century proves the existence since the Carolingian Period of a tradition concerning the use of easily transportable thrones of golden color by the rulers of the Franks, and the mentions of Charlemagne's golden throne in Adémar de Chabannes' Chronicle and the Song of Roland clearly derive from this tradition. The study of Carolingian sources also suggests that rulers from this dynasty may have indeed possessed such thrones and it may also have been the case for Charlemagne. However, the mention of the gift of Charlemagne's golden throne to Bolesław the Brave by Otto III in Adémar de Chabannes' Chronicle most likely results from the intervention of the Aquitanian chronicler.

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