Commerce and Cult: Confronted Ideologies in 6th–9th-Century Europe
Martin Carver
The REVIVAL of European trade and towns between the Roman medieval periods has remained an enduring topic enquiry. Some leading scholars argue that progress came when elite chose to reinvest in market, while others prefer credit spirit merchant enterprise. New work on congregational cult sites their Christian equivalents (monasteries) supports idea religion also lent a hand stimulating reinventing town. In this paper it is argued aristocratic, spiritual initiatives were often at odds with each other could be prominent turns. Four examples are selected demonstrate political trajectories different parts Europe, north, central south during 6th 9th century. theme reinvention structure economy owed much prevailing ideology, latter revealed by excavation emphasis cult.22 This was given Ghent 21 November invitation Vlaamse Werkgroep Mediëvistiek as Pirenne Lecture for 2013.
Medieval Archaeology