Merovingian Worlds

Cambridge Medieval Textbooks

by James T. Palmer

The Merovingian Kingdoms (c. 450–751) dominated much of what is now France, Belgium, and Germany, and were the most powerful and long-lived of the states that transformed the inheritance of Rome after the Crisis of the Fifth Century. Yet they often remain representative of an imagined 'Dark Age', in which civility was eroded by migration, violence, illiteracy, superstition, and a retreat from globality. Through a deep exploration of manuscripts, charters, and burials, Merovingian Worlds offers a fresh account of the period, outlining its complexities, diversity and creativity. This was a world built on dynamic political, socio-economic, cultural, and religious interactions, and shaped by its wide-ranging connections from Britain and Ireland to Byzantium and beyond. The book provides a critical introduction to the rich source material and the modern debates that shaped our perception of Western Europe after the Fall of Rome.

Offers the most up-to-date guide to Merovingian history c. 450–751
Examines why the Merovingian era is a highly contentious period in modern scholarship
Explores the political, social, intellectual, cultural, economic and religious landscape through this time
Introduces students to a rich source base including manuscripts, charters, and burials

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval

312 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2024

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable look at Merovingian France, including the archaeology and not just texts

[Cody Keeble · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first truly academic books I’ve read on any period (vs my usual narrative or popular histories- which I still enjoy) and I think this will have me convinced to read more. Palmer carried his argument on studying history with a complex, interdisciplinary approach: looking at all factors, all theories and observations through time, studying the people, their motives and perspectives; from the beginning to the end. Getting to read this book will inform not just my understanding of the Merovingian kings or the people they ruled over but all of history.

I had a hard time deciding between reading this or Ian Wood’s very similarly titled Merovingian Kingdoms first, and while this is described as the updated version or a more social approach to woods book I’m glad I tackled this first. I’ll go into woods accounting of the period with a broader understanding of the ‘list of kings and their deeds’.

“Lots of things happened, both good and bad” -Gregory of Tours