ECCHEARDO d'AURA. - First Benedictine abbot of Aura (Herrenaurach), hence called «Ekkehardus Uraugiensis». Between 1091 and 1107 he resided at Bamberga and Corbey; in 1101 he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and, on his return the following year, visited Rome; thereafter he ceased to side with the Emperor, in favour of the Pope. Bishop Ottone of Bamberga made him abbot of the monastery of S. Lorenzo at Aura. The year of his death is uncertain, but it must be placed after 1129.
He linked his name to the work Chronicon universale, in which he narrated the events of the world from its beginnings to the year 1125. Critics attribute to Abbot Frutolf of Michelsberg the principal part of the chronicle down to 1101. The chronicle makes extensive use of sources, both ecclesiastical and secular authors, often transcribed «ad litteram». Despite the breadth of the narrative, E. arranges everything with great clarity and precision. In its content it is the most perfect chronicle of the Middle Ages and the principal source for the years 1082-1125. It served as the basis for the Chronaca regia Colonensis of the 12th century.