Weeds and the Carolingians: Empire, Culture, and Nature in Frankish Europe, AD 750-900

Weeds mattered in the Carolingian empire because they created extra work, reduced productivity, and challenged theologians who believed God had made all vegetation good. This book explores how early medieval Europeans interacted with their environments, using diverse kinds of texts, archaeobotanical data, and mosaics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 09 June 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In early medieval Europe, the presence of unwanted plants, known as weeds, posed significant challenges to farmers and theologians alike. These plants not only created extra work and reduced productivity but also challenged the belief that God had created all vegetation as good. For the first time, weeds emerge as protagonists in early medieval European history, shaping human farming strategies and influencing people's imagination.

Early medieval Europeans had to navigate the complexities of creating agroecosystems that met their needs while also aligning with Christian accounts of vegetable creation. They sought ways to control and manage weeds, employing various techniques such as crop rotation, intercropping, and herbicides. However, the eradication of weeds was not always possible, and they often found themselves in a delicate balance with these unwanted plants.

Weeds played a significant role in shaping early medieval European culture and society. They were used as food sources, medicinal remedies, and materials for various crafts and industries. For example, some weeds were used to make dyes, while others were used as fertilizers or as ingredients in herbal remedies. Weeds also had symbolic and cultural significance, often being associated with wildness, resilience, and resistance to control.

In addition to their practical uses, weeds also influenced the imagination of writers in eighth- and ninth-century Europe. They were often depicted in literature and art as symbols of chaos, disorder, and resistance to civilization. Writers used weeds to explore themes of nature, human-nature relations, and the boundaries between order and chaos.

The growth of real weeds, on the other hand, was closely connected to the development of early medieval European agriculture. As farmers sought to increase productivity and improve crop yields, they introduced new crops and farming practices that disrupted the natural balance of ecosystems. This disruption led to the proliferation of weeds, which competed with crops for resources such as water, sunlight, and nutrients.

The interdisciplinary study of weeds in early medieval Europe involves a range of sources, including historical texts, archaeological evidence, and botanical studies. By analyzing these sources, scholars can gain a deeper understanding of how early medieval Europeans interacted with their environments, how they perceived weeds, and how they responded to their presence.

In conclusion, weeds mattered in the Carolingian empire and in early medieval Europe for several reasons. They posed challenges to farmers and theologians, influenced cultural and symbolic meanings, and were closely connected to the growth of early medieval agriculture. By studying weeds, scholars can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between humans, nature, and religion in early medieval Europe.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316512869