The documents recalling the foundation of the Abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy by Saint Remacle in the 7th century have been examined in numerous studies aiming to describe the natural environment of the Ardennes in the early Middle Ages. The historical analysis of these documents shows that the interpretation of the sources changed fundamentally from the beginning of the 20th century to recent years. This realization calls for a redefinition of the tools used to analyze the discourse describing the natural environment of the early centuries of the Middle Ages. Recent historical writings have suggested several approaches, stressing inheritance, identity, and harmony with the physical environment. Interpreting the charters of the foundation of the Abbey of Stavelot-Malmedy makes it possible to reach a provisional synthesis while also introducing the question of power and the social system as factors structuring the descriptions. ; SCOPUS: re.j ; iiTSE ; info:eu-repo/semantics/published