Power and Religion in Merovingian Gaul
Columbanian Monasticism and the Frankish Elites

This book examines the political and social effects brought about by the establishment of Columbanian monasteries in seventh-century Gaul.

Yaniv Fox (Author)

9781107658424, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 4 October 2018

369 pages, 5 b/w illus. 4 maps
23 x 15.3 x 2 cm, 0.56 kg

'Anyone wanting to learn about some of the major families of Burgundy and Austrasia will need to consult this book, and the reader will also find numerous points of detail that illuminate the seventh century. At the same time, Fox unwittingly exposes the limits of modern categorization.' Ian Wood, Early Medievel Europe

This study is the first to attempt a thorough investigation of the activities of the Columbanian congregation, which played a significant role in the development of Western monasticism. This was a new form of rural monasticism, which suited the needs and aspirations of a Christian elite eager to express its power and prestige in religious terms. Contrary to earlier studies, which viewed Columbanus and his disciples primarily as religious innovators, this book focuses on the political, economic, and familial implications of monastic patronage and on the benefits elite patrons stood to reap. While founding families were in a privileged position to court royal favour, monastic patronage also exposed them to violent reprisals from competing factions. Columbanian monasteries were not serene havens of contemplation, but rather active foci of power and wealth, and quickly became integral elements of early medieval statecraft.

Introduction
1. The Merovingians
2. The aristocracy
3. Monasteries as guardians of family memory
4. Monasteries as guardians of family property
5. Monastic identity
Conclusions
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]