Senators and social mobility in sixth-century Gaul
Brian Brennan
Abstract In the historical and hagiographical writings of Gregory Tours in poetry Venantius Fortunatus we encounter a group men who make claim that they are descendants Roman senators an earlier time. This paper sets out to examine status this light suggestion by Frank D. Gilliard imprecise Latin word senator was often used denote someone merely large landowner. Since has suggested blanket term may mask parvenus sixth-century society, discussion here been set wider context social mobility Merovingian church state. It is it senatorial family background, rather than possession wealth or land, qualified one, Gregory's eyes as senator. Further, there such ample evidence upward mobility, positions power prestige outside ranks, royal service, conclusion drawn for ambitious patronage Frankish kings have come mean more much vaunted illustrious descent senators.
Journal of Medieval History