Did growth lead to a more systematic style of government?
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Did the growth of territory under a single authority lead to a more systematic and cerebral approach to govt.?

YES (e.g. Boussard) - Growing importance of written govt. (more edicts since time of Pippin); innovative institutions (royal agents etc.). Backed up by ecc backing given to royal authority, all à pol structure harking back to Roman world. Also imitated culture / titles, sense of public authority. No tax system, but ties of loyalty / rel mandate à officers obliged to perform public duty.

NO (e.g. Reuter) - Good intentions expressed in capitularies (govt. edicts) may not nec have been put into practice. Court records indicate no judicial reform - no evidence for effectiveness of jobs like that of missi. Plunder and tribute sustained Car growth. End of expansion à magnates fought each other instead of using collective strength v. outsiders.

BUT difficult to calculate profitability of war. Saxons poor. War not preserve of the élite.

CONSIDER that documents generally reflect revival of intellectual and rel activity in conjunction with growth in royal power.

e.g. church reform directed at moral welfare of the subject. Standardisation and co-ordination of rel / cult life strengthened state hegemony. 794 Synod of Frankfurt decreed that no new saints were to be venerated - contrast with c.700 est of new cults to reinforce local independence and noble influence.

Hence single authority replaced disintegrating confederation of Mer period. Yet custom outweighed innovation. Power on the ground still in hands of counts / bishops who preserved soc order by protecting property. Franks could mobilise massive power.

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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