The Emergence of the Territorial Principality of Flanders, 750-1050
David Defries
The historiography of the early territorial principality Flanders rests on two foundation layers. first layer establishes a narrative for Baldwinid dynasty (r. 864–1119) Flemish counts, who cobbled together strong across what is now southern Netherlands, Belgium and northeastern France. in turn conceptual associated with political about France, represented by scholars such as François-Louis Ganshof Jan Dhondt. This school posits decline authority West Frankish kings result usurpations magnates. While basic principality's origins has remained essentially unchanged since 1940s, ground shifted underneath it. article surveys framework challenges to francophone school, then outlines Flanders. It argues there pressing need reassessment emergence light new theories Carolingian royal power.
History Compass