It was one of four Carolingian foundations intended to establish Christianity in the region of the Odenwald (the others were the monasteries of Lorsch, Fulda and Mosbach). It is said to take its name from Amor, a disciple of Saint Pirmin, regarded as the founder. The abbey was consecrated in 734. By 800 it had become a Reichsabtei, the abbot being directly answerable to Charlemagne. Pepin united it to the Bishopric of Würzburg, although control of it was much disputed by the Bishops of Mainz. The patrons were the Virgin Mary, with Saints Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrix.