Myths of the state in the West European Middle Ages
Lennart Ejerfeldt
In the first centuries of barbarian kingdoms most striking feature is gens, tribe, as principle unity, even if ethnic homogeneity often was missing. The myth Germanic State early Middle Ages in place a common origin gens.These histories tribal origins have some times been influenced by powerful Ancient literary patterns, especially Trojan Virgil. But concern presenting gens mythical form no doubt Germanic. And it seems probable that are more ancient than genealogies royal families with alleged divine ancestors. kingship among tribes secondary relation to tribe. king rex Francorum; certain country or geographic territory later conception. power comes from below; an exponent All words for "king" derivations terms "kin, people, tribe." limitation also indicated institutions like right resistence, possibility depose king, participation all free men judicial and criminal procedure through self-help blood feud.
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