TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > History > Populus Francorum
A series of aristocratic leading men, or Frankish empire with large numbers of more or less equal free men under a King? Traditional view that Frankish full of free men? Why:
Merovingians acted so arbitrarily that does not seem to have been an effective aristocratic counter-force.
Legal evidence distinguishes between unfree and free, implies no nobility
Not much evidence for inheritance of power and wealth, basis of aristocracy surely?
Older model: transition free men to aristocratic politics result of feudalism – vassalage + benefice, men who rose to power were those who had vassalage with the King, ordinary free men lost direct ink with the King.
Today’s Model – was an aristocracy, many were related to office-holders of the Merovingian period, suggests aristocracy which DID NOT owe existence to the Carolingians – can’t trust genealogy but certainly strong kinship links.
Warfare and justice adds weight to idea Frankish society not undifferentiated equal free men – armies not just peasants but mainly of followings of great men, peasants rule dout, not because of technique, but because of cost – those rewarded with loot by he King were great men, putting men into battle was an investment. Benefits of war, slaves and treasure of use only to men with large estates and new lands granted out not in small holdings.
Revival of use of free-men in war used in less profitable defensive wars Danes and Saracens –
Level of the empire and its assemblies – Carolingian political community consisted, as under Merovingians, small group of men, whom by position and lifestyle we ca term nobility.
The boundary between free men and Carolingian nobility was by no means rigid. However the aristocracy did rule the king, via discussion and consultation, not ruled by a supreme ruler.
Leading men important in that their families held scattered property across the Frankish empire – just as Merovingian and Roman predecessors had – married into ad helped integrate new lands that came into the Frankish kingdoms in the 9th century – ties of property and family important formation of East Francia
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