Introduction
Adriaan Verhulst
The title of this book needs some explanation. ‘Carolingian economy’ has to be understood here as ‘the economy the Carolingian empire’. ‘economy period’ would too broad, not being limited empire within its borders under Charlemagne, which is point view adopted here. Countries and regions outside empire, such England, Scandinavia, Islamic (including bigger part Spain), Byzantine eastern Europe, will considered only in so far their commercial relations with are at stake. chronological terms, from middle eighth century end ninth, necessarily political, but they coincide by chance beginning an economic period, demonstrated Chapter 10. can also directed rulers. I do reject interpretation altogether, it elucidated 9 on ‘The state’. ‘Economy’ used singular form although was economically homogeneous area. Several regional ‘economies’ defined, each having different characteristics regarding population, use money, presence towns, intensity trade, etc. territories between Loire Rhine, Rhine frontier Elbe river northern Italy most striking examples.
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