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The Franks: From Barbarian Tribe to Imperial Mission - The Destiny of the Merovingians and Carolingians

Explore the origins and significance of the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties through the study of primary and secondary sources. Understand the context and evaluate the perspectives of these historical figures. Office hours and course outline available on the website.

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The Franks: From Barbarian Tribe to Imperial Mission - The Destiny of the Merovingians and Carolingians

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  1. HIST 2236The Franks: From Barbarian Tribe to Imperial Mission - the Destiny of the Merovingians and Carolingians Dr Niall Christie Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 1330-1420; Wednesday, 1430-1730; or by appointment Copy of outline on the web at: <http://www3.telus.net/nchristi/HIST2236outline.html>

  2. Why study this? • Understanding origins • Islam and the West • More widely-applicable skills

  3. Words of caution… “Middle Ages”“Dark Ages” medium aevum (1688) “mediaeval/ medieval” Modern, blurry labels Merovingians, Carolingians, ‘Abbasids Limitation of modern lens

  4. Primary Sources: written by people living at time or soon after Secondary Sources: Works of interpretation or analysis written long after the fact Important to read critically, with eyes open for agendas, biases, etc. Applies to both primary and secondary sources, as well as newspapers, TV, web sites, etc

  5. Reading (Primary) Sources • Context • Who wrote this? • Where and when? Was the author an eyewitness? • Why was it written? • To whom is it addressed? Who are they?

  6. Reading (Primary) Sources • Classify Source • What sort of work is it? • What is its purpose (stated or not)? • Is it following a traditional structure or mould?

  7. Reading (Primary) Sources • Understand Source • What are the key words? Meaning? • What is the author’s point? • What evidence is provided? • What assumptions are made? • What values are expressed? • What problems are addressed? Context? • What reaction is expected/hoped for?

  8. Reading (Primary) Sources • Evaluate Source • How typical is the source? • How widely did it circulate? • Does it share views/values/ideas/arguments with others from period? • Can you find other evidence to corroborate your conclusions?

  9. Einhard on Charlemagne Servant of Charlemagne Born c. 770. Noble from Main valley Educated at monastery of Fulda Sent to court soon after 791. Became advisor and friend to Charlemagne until latter died in 814 Advisor to Louis the Pious (r. 814-840)

  10. Einhard on Charlemagne In 815 received grant of lands in Seligenstadt After death of wife, became abbot of various monasteries Wrote Vita Caroli Magni c. 829-36. One of few sources for life of Charlemagne. Another is biography by Monk of St Gall/Notker the Stammerer (c. 840-912) Died in 840

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