Charlemagne. Father of a Continent by Alessandro Barbero
Éric Fournier
REVIEWS 187 pologists on that issue.2 This is symptomatic of Althoff’s general neglect important studies in languages other than German.3 The translation well done with very few mistakes, although the high number German terms left untranslated irritating. could easily have been avoided, or at least editor inserted explicative footnotes each case. In end, however, these numerous problems and fact book was not brought up to date by including references this topic published since 1990 leave present reviewer wondering why a first place. Scholars students political power early Middle Ages limited knowledge will most likely welcome translation, but ultimately, they find themselves fourteen-year gap cover their own bibliography almost exclusively German. Therefore it remains unclear what potential audience would be interested reading such book. ÉRIC FOURNIER, HISTORY, UC Santa Barbara Alessandro Barbero, Charlemagne. Father Continent, trans. Allan Cameron (Berkeley: University California Press 2004) 426 pp. English readers no Italian should work central medieval studies. ambitious attempt produce “totalizing” account Charlemagne’s reign presents three main themes underlying narrative. First, revisionist perspective targets older, dépassées, interpretations Charlemagne . Second, envisions Charles’s its larger perspective, addressing how his different measures policies influenced shaped subsequent centuries, hence subtitle And third, focuses policy inclusion unification necessary maintain vast diverse territorial empire. especially clear reader who expects read about as single-facet personality, Frankish warrior purely military campaigns building himself palace where he can spend later years amidst riches plundered during successful raids. Barbero analyzes sources carefully highly complex character, sometimes surprise reader, discover educated—even if couldn’t write himself—and continuously concerned matters required intense reflection. chapter 10, devoted so-called Carolingian “Renovatio,” throughout whenever Charles involved planning campaign, organizing council bishops, issuing capitulary concerning social status freed slaves. laudable emphasis competence, has downside. For attributing all credit for any decision ‘government’ 2 Except 147, n. 33, insufficient. Victor Turner, among others, good place start. 3 A example Wendy Davies Paul Fouracre, eds., Settlement Disputes Early Medieval Europe (Cambridge 1987), crucial conflicts Ages. 188 Charles, persistently assumes laws royal documents were exclusive result ruler’s orders. It more plausible allow some influence advisors, mention sole personal initiatives. To credit, acknowledges external cases (i.e., 237–238, conversion pagans change policy). But insufficient, so fully aware presence great scholars court are known “advisors.” Conversely , Barbero’s aim dismiss an assumption securely attested, clearer direct fashion. second theme importance way came viewed “Father Europe.” Again, historiographical fashion rejects nationalistic, attempted appropriate “national” hero...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies