Domestic government and power bases
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Changes made in early years of Car rule (Wormald):

w         Charlemagne’s imperial ‘reforms’ after coronation involved more continuity – copying of earlier Mer forms. ‘Lex Salica’ was really written just to indicate a new beginning and a confirmation of authority – little real change.

w         New documentation was product of new govt. processes > new ideas. Charlemagne sought to tighten up the ship – e.g. changes in wording of oath of loyalty to insist upon total commitment. Moral emphasis – respect and loyalty demanded, e.g. also of missi or bishops.

w         But practical changes also – to ensure meticulous safeguarding of govt.’s own sustenance.

w         Franks linked to Israelites as ‘people of the Lord’. Charlemagne known to friends as ‘David’. Useful ideological foundation to allay anxieties.

NELSON:

a)  Fiscal systems

·       Dependence on moveable wealth (e.g. Charlemagne distributed gold + silver to non-defectors after 793 rebellion). Acquired by plunder and tribute. Einhard describes cartloads of Avar treasure from 790s victories. Dist to favoured churches + foreigners. Treasure-hoard = proof of authority + means of wielding it. This system vulnerable to neighbours’ fortunes (e.g. Moravian growth before succumbing to Hungarians).

·       Survival of Car state due to adjustment of power bases - internal redistribution of wealth as an alternative to external expansion. Louis the German and Charles the Bald extended by exploiting lack of heirs.

·       Process of dissolution also = resolution and reformation. Kings could pressurize ecc resources by granting abbacies (i.e. temporal lordships that went with them) to laymen. Heavier taxation of fisc lands (Hincmar disapproved) - economy of profiteering > plunder?

·       Aristocracy grew richer C8/9 - participation in war and aggressive landlordship. Not taxed by state, but regular levy through institutionalised ‘annual gifts’.

·       Currency; royal monopolies indicate active int / ext markets. Poss millions of coins in circulation C8/9. Kings vital as protectors of merchants / patrons of emporia.

·       Local transactions of peasants thriving (Charlemagne had to ban Sunday markets). Manipulation by kings - Charles the Bald accused of finishing off plunderings of Franks that Vikings began. New issue of coinage 864 involved reminting and effective 10% tax on all those who used money. When Charles the Bald tried to increase tax paid by aristocracy (877), they rebelled.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Basis of Power
2. Carolignian Geneaology
3. Carolignians and Italy
4. Chronological Analysis
5. Church
6. Communications
7. Did growth lead to a more systematic style of government?
8. Domestic government and power bases
9. Ideology of Power
10. Importance of the West 814 - 898
11. Kingship and Royal Government - Janet Nelson
12. Logistics of Power
13. Nobility and Expansion Dynamic
14. Nobility and Expansion Dynamic - Effect on surrounding peoples
15. Plunder and Tribute in the Carolignian Empire
16. Society and Politics
17. Sociology of Power
18. The Carolignian Experiment - EF James
19. Vikings

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