Power and wealth
Rachel Stone
Most early medieval nobles were distinguished by their wealth as well power. The highest Merovingian nobility already extraordinarily rich European standards. Such took a variety of forms. significant was land, vital not only source rent and marketable crops, but key component in patronage networks. importance land is shown passing comment the Gesta Fontanellensis about an abbot who had given away monastic benefice: ‘Indeed, such rectors are worse than pagans, since pagan to burn place with fire, yet he would take him.’
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