11. Frankish Society

The Early Middle Ages, 284--1000 (HIST 210) Professor Freedman considers the Merovingians as an example of barbarian kingship in the post-Roman world. In the absence of a strong government, Merovingian society was held together by kinship, private vengeance, and religion. Kings were judged by their ability to lead men in war. Gregory of Tours believed that the violence characteristic of Frankish society was useful insofar as the kings wielded it to back up threats of supernatural retribution for bad actions. Professor Freedman ends with a brief summary of the decline of the Merovingians. 00:00 - Chapter 1. What Holds Society Together? 07:20 - Chapter 2. Gregory of Tours 12:27 - Chapter 3. The bishops and the King 16:39 - Chapter 4. The Basis of Merovingian Power 34:20 - Chapter 5. The Church in Frankish Society 46:26 - Chapter 6. The End of Merovingians Complete course materials are available at the Yale Online website: online.yale.edu This course was recorded in Fall 2011.