VIPOINE. — Perhaps a native of Burgundy (no documents survive regarding the years of his birth and death), a priest and court chaplain under Emperors Conrad II and Henry III, he was among the most notable chroniclers of the German Middle Ages.
He composed all his works in Latin: pre-eminent among them are the *Gesta Chounradi imperatoris*, which represent in Germany the first secular biography after that of Louis the Pious, distinguished by vividness and warmth, if not for historical sense, as well as for fresh and flowing language. He also wrote the *Proverbia* dedicated to Henry III, and poetic works such as the *Lamentatio de morte Chuonradi II* and the *Tetralogus*, which is instead an augural song, rich in interesting admonitions, for the accession to the throne of Henry III, to whom it was delivered at Christmas 1041. In 1046 he is mentioned for the last time.