Religious Horror and Holy War in Viking Age Francia by Matthew Bryan Gillis
Simon Coupland
Reviewed by: Religious Horror and Holy War in Viking Age Francia by Matthew Bryan Gillis Simon Coupland Francia. By Gillis. (Budapest: Trivent Publishing. 2021. Pp. 158. €37,00. ISBN: 9786156405197.) This short book analyzes a series of texts from the period 880–920 against backdrop invasions Continental Europe. It is based on “horror theory,” notion that some writers use exaggerated rhetoric to elicit horror their audience order provoke response them. The author contends this was new development late ninth century whereby various Carolingian authors used monstrous imagery intensify dramatically negative portrayal Scandinavians, particularly wayward Franks, found earlier texts. takes as his starting point capitulary Carloman II 884, which Frankish soldiers magnates are denounced “flesh-eating, blood-drinking robbers” (p. 35). He goes discuss contemporary hymns, sermons, poem Wars City Paris Abbo Saint-Germain highlights similarly graphic within not therefore study events but interested establishing what nobility or troops were guilty of, whether behavior any worse than predecessors. Its focus way they described. an interesting thought-provoking claim, although Annals St. Vaast one under discussion only cited passing, there undoubtedly greater them parallel Fulda, Bertin, Xanten. Sometimes approach can lead unquestioning repetition claims: during siege Abbot Ebolus “could skewer seven Danes with single arrowshaft,” for instance (pp. 79–80). In particular, no consideration given fact poems (which many are) do have same aims chronicles, so “sword cudgels” said killed Fulco Rheims 900 almost certainly differ lances described Flodoard because influence Matt. 26:47 55 50, 54). performs valuable service focusing means unknown often analyzed degree (with possible exception Abbo’s long poem). Lengthy quotations helpfully reproduced, translated, then rephrased, though it would been good see critical engagement both themselves secondary literature relating There shortage this, extensive footnotes make plain: these alone very useful resource those who take further ideas set out its four chapters. context important misunderstand book’s claims. Contrary blurb back cover, careful claim religious definitely influenced, still less directly led to, theology Crusades. thing little evidence widely read: complete text survives [End Page 795] manuscript, example. Rather, shows how foreshadow later medieval developments, worth studying own right. Moreover, offer insight into mentality populace especially clergy traumatized internal strife invasions. Fryske Akademy, Leeuwarden Copyright © 2022 Catholic University America Press
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