Brittany and the Carolingian Empire: A Historical Review
Clare Brett
Abstract Brittany, a region with an obscure early history and identity in dispute between Britain France, enters unusually well‐evidenced period the ninth century when it was conquered, then placed under native rulership, by Frankish Carolingian emperors. Taking advantage of weakness to expand territorially, Breton polity outlasted dynastic violence Viking attack would eventually survive until 1532. The historiography has blossomed since 1980s. English‐ French‐language historians are agreement that creation Brittany direct consequence rise fall empire, illustration ‘the fundamental political social changes often occur on periphery dynamic rapidly evolving societies’ (J.M.H. Smith). They differ, however, Francophones inclined emphasise extension institutions while English minimises institutionalisation politics, increasingly empire as whole. Regardless these differences, evidence gives view interplay local supra‐national organisation, legal practice, Christian culture, significance which for whole world is recognised.
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