The origins of the Carolingian attempt to regulate the cult of saints
Paul Fouracre
abstract In an important article published in 1990, Julia Smith contrasted cultures of sanctity Celtic regions the early Middle Ages with those patterns which had been influenced by Carolingian practices. Whereas areas response to cults was determined a strong oral tradition fed off places and objects associated holy men women, Frankish areas, she argued, were more tightly controlled written hagiography stressed importance corporeal relics under guardianship proper authorities. The Franks, other words, their saints control ways reflected theocratic flavour government, for rulers attempted intervene spiritual life order achieve some level social through harnessing supernatural power. power thus rulers, not just Francia, but quite clearly, as effectively, Ottonian Germany, Anglo-Saxon England, and, at slightly later date, what Gabor Klaniczay terms ‘peripheral areas’ Scandinavia Central Europe. As suggested, when these moved political ends, this done imitation practice.
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