At the center of this narrative is Abbot Berno of Reichenau. He is appointed by the then King Henry II as the abbot of the monastery on Reichenau, which is threatened with ruin. Although the young scholar has few qualifications for the difficult position, he leads the monastery to its economic peak during his tenure. The westwork of the church in Mittelzell, built by Abbot Berno, still bears witness to this great abbot. His grave is also located there.