1. When did Notker write this work, and for whom? Why did he write it? Who was Notker? How did this context and his background affect the tone of the work?

2. Why does the work contain so many stories not about Charlemagne? What do they reveal about Notker's point of view? Examine them carefully and remember the context of the period.

3. What sort of relations did Charlemagne have with the Church? What is Notker's attitude about this relationship?

4. What value does this work possess as a source for Charlemagne's life? In what ways might it be a useful source for historians? Illustrate your answer with examples from the text.

5. Why does Notker's book end abruptly? Did he choose not to finish it, or did part of the text disappear after his time?