jjares reviewed History of the Franks: A Captivating Guide to a Group of Germanic Peoples Who Invaded the Western Roman Empire on + 3270 more book reviews
The modern country we know as France came about through the Franks, a group of "barbarian" Germanic peoples who migrated into northern Gaul (probably Belgium and northern France). It is from the leadership of the Franks that the Carolingian and the Capetian Dynasties emerged. In fact, 'France' is derived from the barbarians (Franks) who unified her.
What an interesting explanation of the phrase "Dark Ages." I appreciated the interesting discussion of what the Dark Ages means now, versus in the 14th-century. There's also an interesting explanation of how various barbarian groups gathered together and migrated, forming the Franks, the Visigoths, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths.
The author explains that, until the rise of the Christian church, charity towards the lower classes was an unheard-of idea. The harsh lives of the poor, sick, and maimed only began to be lifted when piety was aroused in the Christian soul.
One thing one must admit from reading about these rulers, they weren't afraid of a little fratricide, regicide, or matricide, if the mood struck. On the religious side, it is amazing that there are so many examples of Franks having ecclesiastical decorative art from Byzantium. It seems that the Franks adopted art from pre-Christian pagan tribes, Egyptian Coptic, and Roman styles.
Until reading this, I was unaware of the role of the monastery in the life of the community. Monastic establishments were often established by aristocrats and served as the center of spiritual life and served as the mortuaries for its wealthy patrons. Thus, by the end of the 6th century, Franks buried their dead in churchyards instead of cemeteries or fields.
The rule of the Frankish kings devolved after Clovis united his realm. As the kings became weaker, the aristocracy increased their power. Before long, they exerted hereditary power. However, as a last hurrah, a Frankish Duke and Prince of the Franks, Charles Martel, once again united the Frank empire. Martel increased his power by turning the ecclesiastical offices from one of caring for the faithful to demonstrating considerable power over the secular world. This book traces the Franks from Clovis to the end of the Merovingian kings and to the dawn of a new dynasty -- the Carolingian.
What an interesting explanation of the phrase "Dark Ages." I appreciated the interesting discussion of what the Dark Ages means now, versus in the 14th-century. There's also an interesting explanation of how various barbarian groups gathered together and migrated, forming the Franks, the Visigoths, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths.
The author explains that, until the rise of the Christian church, charity towards the lower classes was an unheard-of idea. The harsh lives of the poor, sick, and maimed only began to be lifted when piety was aroused in the Christian soul.
One thing one must admit from reading about these rulers, they weren't afraid of a little fratricide, regicide, or matricide, if the mood struck. On the religious side, it is amazing that there are so many examples of Franks having ecclesiastical decorative art from Byzantium. It seems that the Franks adopted art from pre-Christian pagan tribes, Egyptian Coptic, and Roman styles.
Until reading this, I was unaware of the role of the monastery in the life of the community. Monastic establishments were often established by aristocrats and served as the center of spiritual life and served as the mortuaries for its wealthy patrons. Thus, by the end of the 6th century, Franks buried their dead in churchyards instead of cemeteries or fields.
The rule of the Frankish kings devolved after Clovis united his realm. As the kings became weaker, the aristocracy increased their power. Before long, they exerted hereditary power. However, as a last hurrah, a Frankish Duke and Prince of the Franks, Charles Martel, once again united the Frank empire. Martel increased his power by turning the ecclesiastical offices from one of caring for the faithful to demonstrating considerable power over the secular world. This book traces the Franks from Clovis to the end of the Merovingian kings and to the dawn of a new dynasty -- the Carolingian.
