The Days of his Grace

) is a 1960 novel by Swedish Nobel laureate Eyvind Johnson. Set mostly in northern Italy, close to Aquileia, it tells the story of the fate of a Langobard family as their homeland falls under the domination of Charlemagne. The major theme running through the book is the way the actions of the various characters are influenced by love, but also the difficulty of adapting to the arbitrary and overbearing power of absolute monarchy.

The novel is assumed to have been of decisive importance for the Swedish Academy's decision to award Johnson the Nobel Prize for Literature [Nationalencyklopedin, "Eyvind Johnson"] .

Eyvind Johnson, The Days of His Grace (published in 1960 in Sweden, translated into English by Elspeth Harley Schubert and published in 1968) is based somewhat on Charlemagne conquering northern Italy in 775 A.D. In its introductory remarks, Johnson acknowledges the historic plot, and his altering some dates. The central story follows the Lupigis family and the difficult fates they suffer following a rebellion against King Charlemagne. Duke Rodgaud -- cousin of Bertold, castle in Forojuli (contemporary name, Cividale, Italy), starts a rebellion against King Carolus, that is quickly put down. He is executed by the Franks in Papia, summer, 776. Angilperta (“Angila”), the daughter of Rodgaud and Giseverga, is loved by the three Lupigi boys. She can’t be found during the rebellion, but becomes post-rebellion the wife of the Lord of East Burgundy, Gunderic, her name becoming Landoalda. She has Radbert as a lover, has two children, Landoald and Gisertruda, who die young, and a third child, Radaberta is given away. Gunderic imprisons her in the castle tower for seven years, after which Perto comes with an order from King Carolus to let her return to Forojuli. She dies on that trip back to her childhood home.Bertold Lupigi, cousin of Duke Rodgaud. The family name, Lupigi comes from wolf, loup. He disappears in the rebellion and is found in a dungeon. He is freed from prison, post-rebellion, in 793, but is killed by an avalanche. Perto, son of Liuta and Bertold, is 16 years old at the novel’s beginning, the youngest of three brothers. He loves Angila. He is also named Johannes Lupigis, more so as the novel progresses. During the rebellion, he manages to escape the Franks who kill his friend Sinauld. He visits Angilperta with Agibert in the autumn of 783, and sleeps with Angilperta. Late autumn 783 he arrives in Aquisgranum, where there is a royal college. He meets King Carolus and decides he is “indeed great.” Perto goes to Totonisvilla where his brother Warnefrit is in prison, but is seized by guards as he leaves the prison. In prison for three and a half years, in total darkess of the prison cell, he creates a vision of a flowering bush. Then he dines with the Devil, who tempts him. He is released from jail at the age of 31 and goes to Aquigranum where his Uncle Anselm explains the reasons for his imprisonment. He becomes part of King Carolus’s Court again, and eventually gets an order allowing Angilperta to return to her childhood home. Warnefrit, the son of Liuta and Bertold, the oldest of three brothers, likes relations with slave women. He becomes engaged to Angila (Ch. 12) All of chapter 16 is his angry and frustrated monologue as heir to his father. He disappears in the rebellion and is found in a dungeon, where he remains for over ten years post-rebellion. His brother Perto comes to get him from prison, though he does not recognize Perto. Eranbald brings Warnefrit to Gudneric, where Angilperta is, and they all dine together though Warnefrit does not seem to recognize Angilperta. Healthy again, he defends the kingdom against Huns.

Days of His Grace character list

Adaloald (Lunald) jumps from a cliff and flies to the moon and beyond, having had much taken from him by King Carolus (Chapter 17)Agibert writes between 828 – 30 having done research on Johnanes Lupigis’ birthplace. Visits Angilperta with Johnannes in autumn of 783.Alapert -- son of Rodgaud and GisevergaAmilbert – Gunderic’s man, rides with Warnefrit. Dies on the trip.Anselm – Bertold’s brother; Deacon of Beneventura, scholar and courtier, likes jokes. Helps Perto become scholarly and learn ways of the royal Court.Ariulf -- brother-in-law of RodgaudConald – son of Liuta and Bertold, angry his brother gets engaged to Angila (Ch. 12) and so runs away. Fought with Radbert in Westphalia. Rides north with 20 warriors (Chapters 39 – 40) to attack Britons. Killed in battle.Duke Arichis, in Benneventum Duchess Giseverga – wife of Rodgaud, mother of Angila, Gidfrit, and Alapert. Dies the spring after the rebellion.Eranbald – King Carolus’ bastard child, brings Warnefrit to Gunderic’s castle. Attempts to rape Angilperta and subsequently disappears from King Carolus’ court.Faroald –brother of RodgaudFastrada – third wife of King Carolus (and actual name of third wife of Charlemagne) Dies in 794.Felix -- Duke Rodgaud’s friend, tortured by King Carolus’ men after conquest, no longer possesses land. Executed by the Franks after the rebellion. Flavian -- family tutor to Perto et al., 65 years old at novel’s beginning. He writes during Perto’s imprisonment to try to get him released. Perto visits after Queen’s funeral. Dies in 795.Fulco – slave to LupigisGaraman – Radbert and Bertoald stay with him on their trip. He’s looking for his two sons and a daughter. Gidfrit – son of Rodgaud and GisevergaGisla – King Carolus’ third daughterGoderam – in Conald’s group of warriors riding north.Gunderic – royal notary to King Carolus. Later husband to AngilaHarmdt - Frankish steward, runs Forojuli post-rebellion Hluderig, Pippin and Carolus - King Carolus’ sonsInigarda – Angilperta’s chambermaidKing Carolus – the character referred to in the novel’s title, “His Grace.” Conqueror from France, called “Carolus Magnus” to reflect sense of his power (a name used for the actual historic figure, Charlemagne) Dies in 814 (the actual year Charlemagne died.)King Desiderius and Queen Anna, royalty before King Carolus’ conquestLiutperga (“Liuta”) – Berotld’s wife, mother of Perto, Conald and WarnefritNorbert - in Conald’s group of warriors riding north.Radbert escorts Bertoald on his trip after Bertoald is released from prison. Angilperta’s lover. Killed in avalanche.Rainza and Gattia, slave sisters, possible relationship with Warnefrit Romilda, Duchess of Forojuli 165 years ago. In 610 her husband Duke Gisulf is killed by an invading army. Romilda lets the conquering king in to marry her, but he destroys the town instead.Sinauld – Perto’s friend who is killed by the Franks during the rebellion.Stablician – Duke Rodgaud’s friend, tortured by King Carolus’ men after conquest, no longer possesses land. Executed by the Franks after the rebellion. Theobald – Johannes roommate in Aquisgranum. He deceives Johnannes.Upert – slave to Lupigis

Online sources:Eyvind Johnson Nobel acceptance speech at Nobel website http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1974/johnson-speech.html Eyvind Johnson biography at Answers.com http://www.answers.com/topic/eyvind-johnson Eyvind Johnson biography at Books and Writers http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/eyvindj.htm

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