<i>Archaeology of Frankish Church Councils, AD 511–768</i> (review)
Martin Claußen
Reviewed by: Archaeology of Frankish Church Councils, AD 511–768 M.A. Claussen 511–768. By Gregory I. Halfond. [Medieval Law and Its Practice, Vol. 6.] (Leiden: Brill. 2010. Pp. xii, 299. $138.00. ISBN 978-9-004-17976-9.) The first surprise Halfond’s new book is that, despite its title, it not about archaeology, either in the physical, excavation-related sense or epistemological, Foucauldian one. Rather, “an effort to construct a narrative institutional history from isolated shards evidence” (p. viii). second that unexpectedly successful. can be divided roughly into three sections. first, comprising introduction chapters 1 through 4, deals with Merovingian councils. Here, Halfond makes several important convincing arguments. After discussing, among other topics, continuity council late-Roman predecessor, begins his argument church was indeed an institution: he shows there personnel, protocol, concerns across centuries rule old Roman province Gaul. Here addressing, focused way, question whether our very limited sources period after 511 should read minimalist maximalist fashion, [End Page 570] comes down firmly on side. In chapter 2, “The Physical World Councils,” sets out answer questions few historians have ever considered: how exactly called, who decided where might meet, did attendees get there, set agenda, what actually happened week two sitting. These are all crucially understanding was, saw itself, but been rarely addressed scholarly literature. Chapters 3 4 concerned actual legislation councils produced. argues forcefully canons produced by more than fifty examines understood as reflections social political reality world, bishops meant them taken quite seriously. He notes repetitive nature some believes this intentional; quoting earlier councils, ecumenical Frankish, allowed situate themselves larger Christian world establish their orthodox credentials. Moreover, detects sometimes repetitious subtle changes language focus, which says obscures innovative nature. Finally, Francia worked alongside kings create policy would allow ecclesiastical real force. section book, consists 5, degree decisions influenced later development canon law high Middle Ages. final (and chapter) between early Carolingian (or Pippinid) marshals most evidence present following nuanced argument: although were marked rise power Charles Martel, sons, grandsons, these “neither unprecedented nor sudden” 198), almost antecedents. Thus, author contribution recent work Carolingians, arguing they so much innovators wily manipulators preexisting traditions. has shortcomings. does seem know Peter Godman relationship St. Tours Venantius Fortunatus, Albrecht Deim Columbanus. There occasional tendency reify such concepts state; certain lack generosity dealing scholars whom disagrees belie book’s origin dissertation. That said, however, Councils significant just and...
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