IMC 2013: Sessions
Session 1710: Texts and Identities, VII: Defining Community in Early Medieval Kingdoms - Theory and Practice
Thursday 4 July 2013, 14.15-15.45
| Sponsor: | Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien / Utrecht Centre for Medieval Studies, Universiteit Utrecht / Faculty of History, University of Cambridge |
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| Organisers: | E. T. Dailey, School of History, University of Leeds Gerda Heydemann, Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien / Institut für Geschichte, Universität Wien |
| Moderator/Chair: | Ian N. Wood, School of History, University of Leeds |
| Paper 1710-a | Self-Defined: Exploring Visigothic Epistemologies and Allusions to Community, c. 589-654 (Language: English) Index terms: Administration, Mentalities, Philosophy, Political Thought |
| Paper 1710-b | Approaches to Community in the Frankish Kingdoms, c. 650-800: Continuity and Change (Language: English) Index terms: Hagiography, Historiography - Medieval, Mentalities |
| Paper 1710-c | Wars, Rebellions, and Written Laws: The Consolidation of Royal Power and the Emergence of the Lombard Community in the 7th Century (Language: English) Index terms: Administration, Law, Mentalities |
| Abstract | This session focuses on the theoretical and practical construction of community within three different Early Medieval kingdoms, and the particular ways in which the 'barbarian' kingdoms of the 6th to 8th centuries discussed and acted out perceptions of self and neighbour. Although they were closely interconnected, the Franks, Lombards and Visigoths formed senses of togetherness in different (albeit surprisingly complementary) ways. Given the tendency to approach these groups in terms of their commonalities when discussing their relationship with the Roman past, the Byzantine present, the development of Christianity, or possible 'barbarian' or 'Germanic' origins, it is worth considering just how differently they conceptualised and organised themselves as a community. The panel, therefore, will attempt to illuminate the nature of what might be called 'three complementing paradigms' and the spaces between them, encouraging interest in the similarities and differences between these cultures, and providing insights into the formation of kingdoms and group identities (communities) in the Early Medieval Period. |