Ekkehard II facts for kids

Ekkehard II (died April 23, 990) was a clever monk from the Abbey of Saint Gall, a famous monastery. He was also known as Palatinus, which means "the Courtier," because he spent time at important royal courts. Ekkehard became well-known for writing special church songs called sequences.

The Life of Ekkehard II

Early Life and Education

Ekkehard was likely born near the Saint Gall area. He had a cousin named Ekkehard III. Both were nephews of Ekkehard I (who lived from 910 to 973). Ekkehard I was a dean at the abbey and is thought to have written a famous poem called Waltharius.

Young Ekkehard II was taught by his uncle, Ekkehard I, and another monk named Geraldus. Geraldus also taught Ekkehard's other nephews, Notker Physicus and Burkard. Burkard later became the abbot, or head, of the monastery. Ekkehard II also became a teacher at the monastery school. Many of his students later joined the religious order, and some even became bishops.

Working with Duchess Hadwig

Around the year 973, a powerful woman named Dowager Duchess Hadwig of Swabia asked Ekkehard II to come to her home. Hadwig was the widow of Duke Burchard III. She belonged to the important Imperial Ottonian dynasty, a ruling family.

Duchess Hadwig often visited Saint Gall. She eventually asked if Ekkehard could come to her castle, Hohentwiel, to be her tutor. He helped her learn to read classic Latin books. Even while teaching the duchess, Ekkehard continued to help his monastery a lot. For example, he helped solve disagreements between Saint Gall and the nearby Reichenau Monastery. His influence as the duchess's tutor made him very useful to the monks.

Later Life and Legacy

Ekkehard was very smart and spoke well. He also spent time at the court of Emperor Otto I, a very important ruler. Later, Ekkehard became the provost of Mainz Cathedral. A provost is a senior church official.

Ekkehard II died in Mainz in 990. He was buried in the church of St. Alban, just outside the city. He wrote several church hymns, or sequences. Most of these songs are now lost, except for one called Summis conatibus nunc, which honored Saint Desiderius. It is not certain if he wrote some other works attributed to him.