This paper considers how the narratives composed by seventh- and eighth-century authors reflect conceptions of one of the communities of which the authors were a part; the community of the
regnum Francorum. I will focus on five historical authors who particularly embody the developments which took place in these centuries: the compiler of the…[Read more]

The text known to modern historians as Vita altera Bonifatii – the ‘second’ or ‘other’ Life of Boniface – is a very different text than the far better known Vita Bonifatii composed by Willibald in the decade after Boniface’s death. This paper presents some preliminary thoughts on the anonymous author’s purpose in writing the Life by placing the t…[Read more]

The text known to modern historians as Vita altera Bonifatii – the ‘second’ or ‘other’ Life of Boniface – is a very different text than the far better known Vita Bonifatii composed by Willibald in the decade after Boniface’s death. This paper presents some preliminary thoughts on the anonymous author’s purpose in writing the Life by placing the t…[Read more]

This paper provides an analysis of the attitude towards non-Franks in the late Merovingian period, distinguishing between the ethnic community of the Franks and the political community of the regnum Francorum, which were conceived of existing side by side. The paper attempts to show that, unlike in the early Carolingian period, ethnic labels were…[Read more]

This paper provides an analysis of the attitude towards non-Franks in the late Merovingian period, distinguishing between the ethnic community of the Franks and the political community of the regnum Francorum, which were conceived of existing side by side. The paper attempts to show that, unlike in the early Carolingian period, ethnic labels were…[Read more]

In this paper I examine three pieces of early ninth-century Frisian hagiography: Liudger’s Vita Gregorii abbatis Traiectensis, Altfrid’s Vita Liudgeri and the anonymous Vita altera Bonifatii. Between them, these texts commemorate three generations of missionaries who left a lasting impact on Frisia. This commemoration was vital for cementing the…[Read more]

Of all the antagonists to feature in the eighth- and ninth-century sources, Radbod of Frisia isone of the most prominent, featuring heavily in both historical and hagiographical texts.Because of his prominence, though, there was no fixed vision of Radbod, and he could be different things to different authors working at different times.…[Read more]