merovingian-marvels

[merovingian-marvels]

Gilded silver bow brooch with garnets, France, circa 500-550 AD

from The Victoria & Albert Museum

[merovingian-marvels]

So I might’ve actually lectured my lecturer. He’s an archivist, but not a historian (in the broadest version of the word).

Previously mentioned: Roman archives, didn’t really survive because of wax tablets and papyri decaying but we know they wrote and archived. Sure.

After the disappearance of the Western Roman Empire (he was very safe with his word choices here), archiving or writing large amounts of texts wasn’t really a thing, until the Arabs came by the 12th century and Europe was archiving again.

HOLD THE FFING PHONE RIGHT THERE! And I did ask why he was reasoning this way. He didn’t really got me immediately so I provided him with examples.

Roman law didn’t disappear, it was held up and added upon. (Fine = income!) we know this because A) we have catholic additions on it making pagan elements in society illegal, B) we have written versions of the Lex Salica as old as the 8th century, C) Carolingian Minuskel is a thing, learned how to read it at previous Uni.

They just continued copying/translating Greek to Latin to f.e. Diets.

Laws are only useful when you have an institute that has them, can check on them and execute them. All those laws are stored somewhere (= archived).

Handy for cloisters to know how many properties they have and what they provide in income and how much they cost.

Roman law became regional, the Goths, Salic Franks, Anglians all had written law. The Catholic Church even invited Irish monks over to baptize Europeans and they introduced the space in written language in the process to make it easier for them. Writing… archiving…

The Catholic Church was very keen on making martyrs immediate saints. Their stories were recorded (!) into hagiographies. We still have those. They were kept (archived!) in churches and cloisters.

They like their heroes. Tales like Beowulf are 8th century. The church wrote their hymns down so they could hand it out to their singers. The church provided education. The male elite could write…

Gregorius of Tours wrote his Historia Francorum. He wrote the history of the Francs, while they were still around! That’s archiving!

Yeah sure, they wrote how the Vikings were invaders and so on and on. But the wrote it down in the cloister archives!

I mean I can continue. But these were the things I mentioned in class.

To clarify, the Arabs did not re-introduce the production of archiving material and archives themself. They were just never gone. What the Arabs did do was re-introduced science! (Scream it out loud for the people in the back!). While Charlemagne was busy killing Slavs, the Arabs had libraries (Baghdad House of Wisdom) and research institutes and were good mathematicians and astronomers (many stars in our night sky have Arab names to this day). Europe owes a ton of stuff thanks to the Islamic Golden Age. But not really recording and archiving.

On the other hand, I was later informed that the lecturer started panicking because i apparently cornered him good. I just took the one time I get to prove that the last five years of me working around the Early Middle Ages wasn’t for nothing. I don’t want to apologise

[merovingian-marvels]

Gold pendant with lapis lazuli, a garnet, glass, Byzantine, 5th-7th century AD

from The Cleveland Museum of Art

[merovingian-marvels]

Gold cross pendant with garnets and a Byzantine coin, uncovered near Wilton in Norfolk, England, 7th century AD

from The British Museum

[merovingian-marvels]

Hello everyone!

Due to many job and/or study related situations in my personal life, I will have to take a temporary break from posting every week.

I usually have at least three posts in queue to maintain a posting schedule, but since I have too little time to research every post, I’ll have to skip this week (perhaps more weeks).

Do not worry, I will be back!

Thank you for your understanding

@ochipi (merovingian-marvels)

[merovingian-marvels]

Merovingian dynasty saints

Saints and martyrs had an interesting part in the Early Middle Ages. Martyrs of Christianity during the Roman age turned into saints because of their devotion to spread Christianity, which was still figuring itself out (Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Arianism).

A new wave of martyrs came during the christianization (of preferably Catholicism) in the Germanic age. Religious conversion was a process of great effort, because a lot of people had difficulties transitioning from an animistic-polytheistic to a monotheistic religion. Violence was sometimes the end result of this. Those martyrs instantly became saints, some even hoping and preparing for it during their lifetime, dying willingly.

It is also theorized that saints became of great importance in Catholicism to win over doubting Germans. To accompany the people’s needs to call on someone or something for specific requests or ailments was not really accounted for in Christianity, where God does acts of greatness but he was not considered (back then) to heal people’s tooth aches.

Saints/martyrs life stories (hagiographies) came out immediately after their deaths and they had done plenty of miracles during their lifetime, which some researchers correlate to fallen heroes going to Walhalla (receiving the greatest gift/honor of all).

Pagans needed something (new) to look out for after death. A goal to aspire to during their life, which happened to be turning into a Saint. During this time, a large number of churches dedicated to saints (that had dies just previously) came to be, all including and even trading relics of the saint.

Image above:

St. Willibrord (Clemens Willibrordus) ca. 658 - 739, Northumbria, by an unknown monk

Codex from Archbishop Egbert von Trier 10th century A.D., National Library of France (Paris), Lat. 10510

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Cabochon finger ring

This stunning finger ring is decorated with dark glass paste, rather than a semi-precious stone. The simplicity of the ring indicates that it is Carolingian rather than Merovingian. The Carolingians embraced Catholicism on a much broader scale with the top-down process of baptism/religious conversion having reached the middle and even some of the lower classes.

This results in more minimalistic dress. Jewelry becomes very minimal and brooches that were included into ones appearance were once again reduced to their functional level. A finger ring like this does not proof that the wearer was in fact no longer pagan, but it does show that the wearer followed the fashion of the (Catholic) elite. Wearing finger rings also indicates that the wearer performed little to no physical labour as it risks damaging the jewel and it is also a means to show your wellbeing to the world.

The metropolitan museum of art, New York City - United States of America

Museum nr. 17.192.217

Found in Northern France (7th century)

[merovingian-marvels]

@lesmerovingiens I remember a specific instance on “robbing someone’s house.”

The more people involved the higher the compensation from court. However, when a certain, (large) number of people robbed the place, there was no compensation given because they thought only the king could raise that many men and the king is free to do as he pleases. Even robbing your house.

The Salic Law/ Lex Salica

The Salic Law is the written law of the Frankish empire. Its origin is both in Germanic customary law and Roman criminal law. Continuing Roman law fitted in the “Imperium Romanum Aeternum" or the idea that Rome was everlasting (the early Merovingians still saw themselves as Roman and didn't consider the (Western) Roman Empire "fallen").

There are many versions and interpretations of the Salic Law, depending on the Germanic additions made to it. This is especially true for customary law, punishments and inheritance. The most famous rule included in the text is that Kings/rulers have to be succeeded by their eldest son.

In some instances, new laws and punishments were added after incidents occurred which were not previously considered. There were for example different punishments for people who were free vs. slaves. Punishments could also vary, depending on the amount of people involved. Later Catholic additions include the banishment of pagan elements such as animistic practices, future predictions or the names of our weekdays. Some of these banishments are the only documented proof of certain pagan elements which were successfully oppressed by Christianity, such as the habbit of saying "bless you" after a sneeze. This indicates that a sneeze was used for interpretations (foresight, good luck charms, etc.) that could not coexist with Catholic devotion. "Bless you" was installed to replace whatever it was Germans did after a sneeze, turning it into a "positive" that survived into our current time.

Image: page from the 794 AD Salic Law

Library of the Sankt Gallen abbey - Switzerland.

[merovingian-marvels]

The Salic Law/ Lex Salica

The Salic Law is the written law of the Frankish empire. Its origin is both in Germanic customary law and Roman criminal law. Continuing Roman law fitted in the “Imperium Romanum Aeternum" or the idea that Rome was everlasting (the early Merovingians still saw themselves as Roman and didn't consider the (Western) Roman Empire "fallen").

There are many versions and interpretations of the Salic Law, depending on the Germanic additions made to it. This is especially true for customary law, punishments and inheritance. The most famous rule included in the text is that Kings/rulers have to be succeeded by their eldest son.

In some instances, new laws and punishments were added after incidents occurred which were not previously considered. There were for example different punishments for people who were free vs. slaves. Punishments could also vary, depending on the amount of people involved. Later Catholic additions include the banishment of pagan elements such as animistic practices, future predictions or the names of our weekdays. Some of these banishments are the only documented proof of certain pagan elements which were successfully oppressed by Christianity, such as the habbit of saying "bless you" after a sneeze. This indicates that a sneeze was used for interpretations (foresight, good luck charms, etc.) that could not coexist with Catholic devotion. "Bless you" was installed to replace whatever it was Germans did after a sneeze, turning it into a "positive" that survived into our current time.

Image: page from the 794 AD Salic Law

Library of the Sankt Gallen abbey - Switzerland.

[merovingian-marvels]

The marvelous story of Rouillac

The area surrounding French village Rouillac (dep. Charente, Ar. Cognac) is an Early Medieval unicum.

Of Gallic origin, Rouillac as a village came to prominence due to Roman occupation. Rouillac is likely derived from Rulliacum (domain of Rullius). The area bloomed because of its close proximity to the Via Agrippa. This is visible in the presence of a Roman theatre, bath houses and a Gallo-Roman burial site/sanctuary (located in Bouchauds). Unique finds include a statuette of Epona, a Gallic goddess.

Like most great Roman settlements, the area continued to be inhabited by people after the fall of the (Western-) Roman Empire. The site was inhabited both by Merovingians and Visigoths.

The area continued to be a rich society, shown in the Germanic burial site at Herpes. The site also shows how the Goths and Franks lived in good coexistence with each other.

Rouillac is because of this coexistence the southernmost and westernmost Merovingian village and the northernmost Visigothic village.

The parure above is Merovingian, but shows clear gothic influences (predominantly in the radiate-headed brooches).

The British Museum, London - United Kingdom

Museum nrs. 1905,0520.994

Found in Herpes, Charente - France

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Silver brooch, part of the Galloway hoard, a Viking age treasure hoard uncovered in Scotland, dated circa 900 AD

from The National Museum of Scotland

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Germanic textiles

Textiles from the European Iron Age up until the year 1000 are a rare find. There are two ways they are usually found. First in wet conditions such as burial in the water-table, burial in flood-sensitive landscapes or in soil with high peat levels.

Second as mineralized bits of fiber. Wool and flax were used for everyday clothing, while leather was used for accessories such as belts, belt-strung bags and shoes. Those were all clasped into place with brooches and buckles which survive the ages well. Some materials do corrode however and may enclose some of the fibers that were pinned.

The examples above show a piece of fabric in checkered weave (Haugen - Norway) while the second shows preserved pieces of leather within the corrosion of an iron belt buckle. Both types of “textiles” would not have survived otherwise.

Image 1: textile fragment from Haugen, Rolvsøyætten - Norway.

A.W. Brøgger, “Rolvsøyætten. Et arkeologisk bidrag vikingetidens historie.”, Bergens Museum Aarbok, 1920-1921.

Image 2:

The British Museum, London - United Kingdom

Museum nr. 1980,1021.308.a-e

Found in St. Peter’s Tip, Kent - United Kingdom

[merovingian-marvels]

Bracteates

Bracteates are a remnant of Celto-Romano tradition. Coins were not a means of payment, but rather an establishment of one’s power (in a geographical area).

The European Celts took the head-in-profile design for their own, turning the faces into organic, free flowing designs.

These stylized figures were adapted by the Germans into seven different categories, some closer to their original Roman counterparts than others.

The image above shows a C-type bracteate. This type is the most common one and shows a horse/fantasy quadruped in profile with a male head in profile above. An unknown species of bird is facing the rider, also in profile. A Futhark text surrounds the scene.

It is claimed that the horserider represents Odin/Wodan, but this excludes different subcategories of bracteates besides there being a lack of provable evidence that it is in fact Odin. It is not really clear who wore bracteates, how or what they represented for the wearer.

Image credit: Vadstena Bracteate, Vadstena - Sweden.

[merovingian-marvels]

And so you learn something new everyday. Thanks for adding this!

Days of the week series: Thursday

Proto-Germanic - Thunraz

Anglo-Saxon - þunresdæg (thunresdag)

Old Norse - þorsdagr (thorsdagr)

Roman era equivalent - Dies Lovis /Dies Jovis

Although not often known as such today, Thor was one of the most popular gods in the Viking era. He is a fertility god, did not demand blood and/or human sacrifices and of course the weather is important for both farmers and seamen.

Thursday is the only day of the week which has a proto-Germanic base, Thunraz. Because both Thor and Jupiter wield lightning, the two were easily compared. The association was made strong already during the Roman conquest, while equivalence between f.e. Odin and Mercurius is less obvious and took place at a later date.

Germanic variations of Thursday vary between “Thor’s day” or “Thunder’s day”. Jupiter still lives in Roman languages, such as jeudi in French.

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun

[merovingian-marvels]

Valkyrie pendants

Pendants depicting women are common for the late-Vendel and Viking age. These pendants depict full body women in profile. They are very stylized, dressing the individual in a full length cloak, limiting the amount of visible details.

Their hair is usually shown in a knot at the nape of the neck with a free hanging tail. Often but not always, the women are shown holding a cup/horn/vessel.

This is often interpreted Valkyries/Walküren and their role in Valhalla, serving Odin’s banquet of fallen heroes when there is no fight.

The pendants are exclusively Viking-Scandinavian and often lack a broader context. It is unsure why or how they were worn.

“Nygård Valkyrie”, National Museet, Copenhagen - Denmark

Museum nr. C32009

Found in Klemensker Parish, Nygård - Denmark.

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The Uppåkra bird brooch (U263)

This type of brooch is sometimes called “Uppåkra style bird brooch”, referencing the place they were most commonly found.

Germanic animal brooches (birds/horses) are usually in profile, while the Uppåkra birds are made as if we watch from above.

Although it’s not uncommon to include human (male) faces on animal shaped brooches, the Uppåkra ones are the only ones in which the face is placed between the wings of the bird, rather than the Merovingian/Vendel placement on the hip.

Although some researchers believe these brooches reference falconry, it was predominantly a Swedish practice, not correlating with predecessors from the Merovingian dynasty.

On continental Europe, researchers are more tempted to think that these brooches represent fallen men whose souls are brought to Odin, not specifying between corvids and birds of prey. It might even be so that women wore these kinds of brooches/decorations in honor of a fallen family member.

IMAGE CREDIT: B. Almgren for Lund University, via Kristina Jembert, “The Mania of the time. Falconry and Bird Brooches at Uppåkra and Beyond.” 2007.

Historiska Museet - Lund University, Sweden

Museum nr./ID nr. U263

Found in Uppåkra, Skåne - Sweden

[merovingian-marvels]

International Archaeology Day!

This coming Sunday (28th) is International Archaeology Day!

If you have any pressing archaeological questions (about stuff in general or my research in particular) please, do ask :D