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]

The purpose of this paper is to examine the notion of Frankish community – that is, the communal identity of those living within the regnum Francorum – as it emerged, developed and changed during the seventh century and into the early-eighth. This examination will focus on two historical texts, the so-called Chronicle of Fredegar, composed c.6…[Read more]

Early Carolingian authors appear to have been acutely aware of ethnic and regional identities, and the sources of the late-eighth and early-ninth centuries contain many references to non-Franks. These ethnic terms alone, however, do not imply a sense of ‘otherness’. The incorporation of these non-Frankish peripheral peoples into a consolidated Fra…[Read more]