Object description

Reichenau Abbey was a Benedictine monastery on Reichenau Island . It was founded in 724 by the itinerant Saint Pirmin, who is said to have fled Spain ahead of the Moorish invaders, with patronage that included Charles Martel, and, more locally, Count Berthold of the Ahalolfinger and the Alemannian Duke Santfrid I . Pirmin's conflict with Santfrid resulted in his leaving Reichenau in 727. Under his successor Haito the monastery began to flourish. It gained influence in the Carolingian dynasty, under Abbot Waldo of Reichenau , by educating the clerks who staffed Imperial and ducal chanceries. Abbot Reginbert of Reichenau built up the important book collection. Abbot Walahfrid Strabo , who was educated at Reichenau, was renowned as a poet and Latin scholar.