Populus Francorum Essay, Research Paper
A series of aristocratic leading men, or Frankish empire
with large numbers of more or less equal free men under a King?? Traditional view that Frankish full of free
men? Why: Merovingians acted so arbitrarily that does not seem to have
been an effective aristocratic counter-force. Legal evidence distinguishes between unfree and free,
implies no nobility Not much evidence for inheritance of power and wealth, basis
of aristocracy surely? Older model: transition free men to aristocratic politics
result of feudalism ? vassalage + benefice, men who rose to power were those
who had vassalage with the King, ordinary free men lost direct ink with the
King. Today?s Model ? was an aristocracy, many were related to
office-holders of the Merovingian period, suggests aristocracy which DID NOT
owe existence to the Carolingians ? can?t trust genealogy but certainly strong
kinship links. Warfare and justice adds weight to idea Frankish society not
undifferentiated equal free men ? armies not just peasants but mainly of
followings of
because of cost ? those rewarded with loot by he King were great men, putting
men into battle was an investment.?
Benefits of war, slaves and treasure of use only to men with large
estates and enw lands granted out not in small holdings. Revival of use of free-men in war used in less profitable
defensive wars Danes and Saracens ? Level of the empire and its assemblies ? Carolingian
political community consisted, as under Merovingians, small group of men, whom
by position and lifestyle we ca term nobility. The boundary between free men and Carolingian nobility was
by no means rigid.? However the
aristocracy did rule ithe king, via discussion and consultation, not ruled by a
supreme ruler. Leading men important in that their families held scattered
property across the Frankish empire ? just as Merovingian and Roman
predecessors had ? married into ad helped integrate new lands that came into
the Frankish kingdoms in the 9th century ? ties of property and
family important formation of East Francia