Thietmar (modern spelling Dietmar), (969-December 1, 1019) was bishop of Merseburg and a chronologist. His chronicle covers the history of 908-1018 of Merseburg, Saxony and the Wenden wars and relationship with Poland. He was an enemy of Poland and strongly criticized friendly policies of some emperors towards Poland, especially in his account of the Meeting in Gniezno. Events December 11 - John I becomes Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. ... December 1 is the 335th (in leap years the 336th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Toi invasion: Jurchen pirates invade Kyushu. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ... Merseburg is a city in the south of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. ... Events Battle of Belach Mugna Births Deaths Categories: 908 ... Events Bulgaria becomes part of the Byzantine Empire. ... With an area of 18,413 km² and a population of 4. ... The Meeting at the tomb of Saint Adalbert is one of the most important events in Polish history, though scholars disagree over the details of the decisions made at the meeting, especially whether the Polish prince was pledged the kings crown or not. ...
Thietmar made a point of mentioning that the conspirators had solicited Henry II's aid (he was then Duke of Bavaria), but he had refused to join, having been loyal up to that point and having recalled his father's admonition never to oppose his king and lord (4.20).
As Professor Arnold rightly notes, Thietmar was an acute observer of imperial politics, of Saxon society, and of the spiritual and political life of the Reichskirche.
One of the chief tasks facing the modern reader of Thietmar's Chronicon is to assess the degree to which those opinions, antipathies, and agendas influenced his interpretation of events, and especially his criteria of inclusion or exclusion.
Thietmar was also a keen commentator on Saxon society, especially in its rather violent confrontation with Slav neighbouring tribes, a process in which he was personally involved as a Saxon aristocrat and as a bishop of Merseburg.
Thietmar himself exemplified the model of a young nobleman trained for those ecclesiastical careers which were so powerful in local and imperial politics; in many ways the bishops and richer abbots were the mainstay of imperial rule in Germany at this time.
Thietmar was perceptive about the growing religious sensibilities of his time, which would culminate in the Age of Reform (1046-1216) and in the new religious orders.
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