On his return he met Charlemagne at Parma (Easter, 781), and was invited by him to become
master of the School of the Palace. This school was designed for noble youth, was attached to the
court, and held whenever the court was. Charlemagne and his family and courtiers frequently
attended its sessions, although they could not be said to be regular scholars. The invitation to teach
this school was a striking recognition of the learning and ability of Alcuin, and as he perceived the
possibilities of the future thus unexpectedly opened to him he accepted it, although the step involved
a virtual abnegation of his just claim upon the archiepiscopate of York. In the next year (782),
having received the necessary permission to go from his king and archbishop, he began his work.
The providential design in this event is unmistakable. Just at the time when the dissensions of the
English kings practically put a stop to educational advance in England, Alcuin, the greatest teacher
of the day, was transferred to the continent in order that under the fostering and stimulating care
of Charlemagne he might rescue it from the bondage of ignorance. But the effort taxed his strength.
Charlemagne, although he attended his instruction and styles him "his dear teacher," at the same
time abused his industry and patience, and laid many very heavy burdens upon him.^1114 Alcuin had
not only to teach the Palatine school, which necessitated his moving about with the migratory court
to the serious interruption of his studies, but to prepare and revise books for educational and
ecclesiastical uses, and in general to superintend the grand reformatory schemes of Charlemagne.
How admirably he fulfilled his multifarious duties, history attests. The famous capitulary of 787^1115
which Charlemagne issued and which did so much to advance learning, was of his composition.
The Caroline books,^1116 which were quite as remarkable in the sphere of church life, were his work,
at least in large measure. For his pecuniary support and as a mark of esteem Charlemagne gave
him the monasteries of St. Lupus at Troyes and Bethlehem at Ferrières, and the cell of St. Judecus
on the coast of Picardy (St. Josse sur mer). But the care of these only added to his burdens. In 789
he went to England on commission from Charlemagne to King Offa of Mercia, and apparently
desired to remain there. Thence in 792 he sent in the name of the English bishops a refutation of
image-worship. But in 793 Charlemagne summoned him to his side to defend the church against
the heresy of Adoptionism and image-worship, and he came. In 794 he took a prominent part,
although simply a deacon, in the council of Frankfort, which spoke out so strongly against both,
and in 799, at the council of Aachen, he had a six days’ debate with Felix, the leader of the
Adoptionists, which resulted in the latter’s recantation. In his negotiations with the Adoptionists
he had the invaluable aid of the indefatigable monk, Benedict, of Nursia. In 796, Charlemagne gave
him in addition to the monasteries already mentioned that of St. Martin at Tours and in 800 those
of Cormery and Flavigny. The monastery of Tours^1117 owned twenty thousand serfs and its revenue
was regal. To it Alcuin retired, although he would have preferred to go to Fulda.^1118 There he did
good work in reforming the monks, regulating the school and enlarging the library. His most famous
pupil during this period of his life was Rabanus Maurus. In the year of his death he established a
hospice at Duodecim Pontes near Troyes; and just prior to this event he gave over the monastery
of Tours to his pupil Fredegis, and that of Ferrières to another pupil, Sigulf It is remarkable that he
(^1114) On this ground Guizot (l.c. 246-7) explains in part Alcuin’s frequent expressions of weariness.
(^1115) There is an English translation in Guizot, l.c. 237, and in Mullinger, 97-99.
(^1116) See pp. 465 sqq.
(^1117) Already spoken of in connection with Gregory of Tours.
(^1118) See the old life of Alcuin, cap. VIII. in Migne, C. col. 98.