Corporal Punishment at Work in the Early Middle Ages: The Frankish Kingdoms (Sixth through Tenth Centuries)
Alice Rio
Abstract This article deals with a paradox. Evidence for the punishment of workers during early Middle Ages is richer in earlier period (sixth and seventh centuries), when rural are generally thought to have been least oppressed; by contrast, direct discussion subject largely drops out record Carolingian era (eighth tenth despite clear evidence renewed intensification economic exploitation both lay religious lordships over same period. Whereas slaves had once provided richly productive metaphor thinking through issues moral authority legitimate leadership, moralists commentators no longer took as meaningful model other, more morally or religiously motivated practices punishment. Despite interest non-exploitative contexts, lords’ their were taken meaning, whether positive negative. The relationship lords lowest-ranking dependents defined illustrated power way that it Roman late antique paterfamilias. One reason this was increasing tension perceived between profit-seeking correct, justified exercise punishment: two kept at arms’ length writers surprising extent.
International Review of Social History