Disputes in late fifth- and sixth-century Gaul: some problems
Ian Wood|Wendy Davies|Paul Fouracre
The procedures for settling disputes in the great law courts of Roman empire are well known. For fourth and fifth centuries Codex Theodosianus provides an invaluable guide. Similarly books provide a key to legal processes Germanic kingdoms, whilst specific cases recorded documents known modern historians as placita, which survive, particularly north Francia, from seventh century onwards. Despite absence such earlier periods, it has been suggested with reason that placitum developed out charter. Nevertheless is worth noting development placitum, like charter itself, can only be inferred not demonstrated directly. It may significant no genuine specimen Merovingian kingdom before 625 surviving examples come relatively new monastic world northern well-established urban administrative centres south. towns were undoubtedly less important than their southern counterparts all probability rôle local administration was correspondingly significant. Moreover monasteries region young, powerful rural, particular interest upholding remnants city-based system Gaul. These factors part explain emergence early century; if so, they illustration need place procedure general context.
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