The Merovingians: Kingship, Institutions, Law, and History

The book "Merovingian Governance and the Law" explores the institutions of the Merovingian kingdom and its history, challenging the tendency to primitivize its governance and culture. It is divided into four parts, covering archaic kingship, institutions, charters, procedure, and law, and deals extensively with historiography. It appeals to students and scholars interested in Early Medieval European history, Merovingian history, Early Medieval law and society, Early Medieval historiography, and the influence of Merovingian law and governance on later centuries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 18 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The extensive research presented here spans approximately 33 years, from 1986 to 2019, and represents a dedicated endeavor to unravel the intricate institutions and historical trajectory of the Merovingian kingdom. It is worth noting that there has historically been a tendency to portray the Merovingian period in bleak and primitive terms, often focusing on personal relationships and archaic institutions. However, this volume takes a different approach by recognizing the Merovingian world as a participant in the broader commonwealth that existed before and persisted after the dissolution of the Western imperial system. By adopting this perspective, the book aims to challenge the scholarly inclination to primitivize Merovingian governance, its underlying institutions, and the broader cultural framework upon which these rested.

The collection is structured into four distinct parts. Part I delves into the debate surrounding the classification of Merovingian kingship as a form of archaic, "sacral kingship." Part II explores various institutions, including the roles of the grafio and centenarius, public institutions such as immunity and public security, and the broader structure of the Merovingian state system. Part III examines charters, legal procedures, and law, with chapters focusing on the presentation of charter evidence in the new MGH edition of the Merovingian diplomas and one on specific procedures before the royal tribunal, which have mistakenly been referred to as "fictitious trials." A concluding chapter offers a reflection on the law in general of the successor kingdoms, with an emphasis on the evidence from Merovingian Gaul. Part IV introduces a slightly different tone, focusing on historiography, encompassing both the modern variety (Reinhard Wenskus) and the Merovingian perspective (Gregory of Tour).

Overall, this comprehensive collection offers a wealth of insights into the Merovingian kingdom and its historical significance, challenging prevailing narratives and providing a more nuanced understanding of this pivotal period in European history.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032054230