The Name ‘Merovingian’ and the Dating of Beowulf
Walter Goffart
Abstract Reviving an argument of 1849, Tom Shippey has lately maintained that the dynasty name ‘Merovingian’ in Beowulf furnishes a firm criterion for attributing early date to poem. He contends, using electronic database, deliberate damnatio memoriae caused fade soon after was deposed (751); its occurrence is therefore terminus ad quem . This article shows Carolingians took pains affirm continuity with their predecessors. The first Frankish not condemned oblivion. Its well known ninth century and occurs repeatedly later historiography.
Anglo-Saxon England