Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 978-1-108-73759-3
This book offers an overview of the Merovingian realm, roughly what is now France and parts of neighbouring Western Europe during the 5th to 8th centuries. It covers the politics, economics, religion and society of a new state emerging out of the Western Roman Empire.
Excerpt:
It is the purpose of this book to explore many different Merovingian worlds – political, economic, social, cultural, religious, intellectual, home and abroad. It aims at a measured account and often it aims at synthesis. At the same time, however, it does not aim to be a simple ‘storehouse of knowledge’ that recites the important facts about the past, more or less in order, in the hope that the facts speak for themselves and history is revealed. History as a discipline never works like that.
Even the most self-professed objectively minded historians have to decide what they think is important and what is not on the way to producing their ostensibly sober tales. Not everyone’s value judgements will necessarily be the same and certainly not their artistic ones. Sometimes this can be a matter of politics or taste, but it can also just be because differently questions lead researchers in different directions. Maybe the economy was crucial to shaping particular events. Maybe it was people’s beliefs. Maybe it was lust. Maybe it was expectation about gender roles. Maybe it was environmental catastrophe. What matters depends on what you are looking at, what you are seeking to explain, and what questions you are asking.
Who is this book for?
Those interested in the Merovingian era, and the early Middle Ages in Western Europe, will find this to be a solid overview of the topic. The book includes a thorough discussion of the sources from this period, which is an added benefit to historians.
The Author
James T Palmer is Professor of History at the University of St Andrews, where he researches culture and religion circa 450-850. On his blog, aptly named Merovingian World, he posted about why he wrote this book.
Merovingian Worlds
By James T. Palmer
Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 978-1-108-73759-3
This book offers an overview of the Merovingian realm, roughly what is now France and parts of neighbouring Western Europe during the 5th to 8th centuries. It covers the politics, economics, religion and society of a new state emerging out of the Western Roman Empire.
Excerpt:
It is the purpose of this book to explore many different Merovingian worlds – political, economic, social, cultural, religious, intellectual, home and abroad. It aims at a measured account and often it aims at synthesis. At the same time, however, it does not aim to be a simple ‘storehouse of knowledge’ that recites the important facts about the past, more or less in order, in the hope that the facts speak for themselves and history is revealed. History as a discipline never works like that.
Even the most self-professed objectively minded historians have to decide what they think is important and what is not on the way to producing their ostensibly sober tales. Not everyone’s value judgements will necessarily be the same and certainly not their artistic ones. Sometimes this can be a matter of politics or taste, but it can also just be because differently questions lead researchers in different directions. Maybe the economy was crucial to shaping particular events. Maybe it was people’s beliefs. Maybe it was lust. Maybe it was expectation about gender roles. Maybe it was environmental catastrophe. What matters depends on what you are looking at, what you are seeking to explain, and what questions you are asking.
Who is this book for?
Those interested in the Merovingian era, and the early Middle Ages in Western Europe, will find this to be a solid overview of the topic. The book includes a thorough discussion of the sources from this period, which is an added benefit to historians.
The Author
James T Palmer is Professor of History at the University of St Andrews, where he researches culture and religion circa 450-850. On his blog, aptly named Merovingian World, he posted about why he wrote this book.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
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