[3] [4] Despite the lack of contemporary evidence, the consort figure in the Chronicon Altinate became part of the canon of Venetian history, and thus is found in many accounts of Obelerio's reign.
According to Staley's book, regarded by modern scholars as a "fictional and fanciful" account of the dogaressas,[5] Carola was originally a Frankish countess and a lady-in-waiting to the empress of Charles the Great.
Staley describes Carola as strong-willed, energetic and with an ability to create respect and obedience, and says that she was somewhat disliked for the perceived Frankish influence she represented.
Staley then claims a Byzantine fleet was sighted in the Adriatic Sea and the Doge felt threatened enough to send for Frankish assistance.
Other than Obelerio's imprisonment in Constantinople, [3] Staley's account matches very little with the earliest records of this event, suggesting that these details follow the standard archetypes of tragic stories and female temptresses rather than any historical basis.