Fulrad

Fulrad (c. 710 in Andaldovillare (now Saint- Hippolyte ) in Alsace, † July 16 784 in Saint- Denis ) was a Benedictine abbot of the Abbey of Saint- Denis and one of the most influential figures of the second half of the 8th century.

Fulrads parents riculf and Ermengard had rich possessions in the area of the Moselle and Meuse; close relationship of the family with other families of the Frankish aristocracy, including the Guidonen are detected. Fulrad itself the first time in the year 749 is mentioned, but it belongs to this time been one of the main advisers of Pippin the Younger: From Pippin, at this time still home Meier, Fulrad is sent together with Bishop Burkard von Würzburg to Pope Zacharias to the deposition the Merovingian Childeric III. and the establishment of the new Frankish king Pippin's reach.

After the successful mission Fulrad received 750, probably as a thank Pippin, the important abbey of Saint- Denis and was appointed superintendent of the 751 court orchestra. He also continued to participate in diplomatic activities, as he negotiated the surrender 756 of the Exarchate of Ravenna to the Holy See and was liaison to the Frankish kings to the Pope. Hadrian I gave him the title of archipresbiter Franciae making him Primate of the Frankish clergy.

In the year 752 he is attested together with Count Ruthard in the royal service. From Ruthard he acquired possession im Breisgau, which actually state the Reich. The " Adelungcella " ( Hoppetenzell ) was conferred on him by Adalung, Bishop of Eichstätt.

Also at the missionary work of the Saxons Fulrad said to have participated. It is believed that the monks of the Abbot Fulrad of St-Denis and this missionary work even at 777 in Lerigau.

As abbot of Saint -Denis, he managed to recover lost possessions of the monastery back and new areas added to attract and numerous monasteries and cells start-ups in Alsace and South Baden space to increase the importance of Saint- Denis: including built on his initiative the monasteries in Lièpvre, Salonnes, St. Pilt (now Saint- Hippolyte ) and Esslingen am Neckar, possibly Schwäbisch Gmünd. Also at the Bavarian monasteries like Tegernsee, Salzburg or Schaeftlarn he has developed links.

His enormous owned in Alsace, but also in Swabia and Rome in his will he bequeathed to the monastery of Saint- Denis.