The Carolingian Creation of a Model of Patrilineage
Constance B. Bouchard
Medieval noble families are often conceptualized using a paradigm derived from twelfth-century France: straight-line lineages organized around male inheritance.1 In this essay I argue that vision of family structure, although never straightforward description reality, was first created ca. 800 ce by publicists at the Carolingian court. It proved so compelling all who wished subsequently to assert their right rule had present similar model families, and convincing modern scholars have allowed shape own understanding Charlemagne’s tree. My discussion how tree may be read understood historians is intended as reminder one cannot easily apply methodologies originally developed for High Middle Ages earlier periods. also warning against treating medieval people’s descriptions past transparent window into what happened, rather than they thought—or wished—had happened.
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