<i>Franks, Northmen, and Slavs: Identities and State Formation in Early Medieval Europe</i> (review)
Shane McLeod
Reviewed by: Franks, Northmen, and Slavs: Identities State Formation in Early Medieval Europe Shane McLeod Garipzanov, Ildar H., Patrick J. Geary, Przemyslaw Urbanczyk, eds, (Cursor Mundi 5), Turnhout, Brepols, 2008; hardback; pp. 266; 10 b/w illustrations; R.R.P. €55.00; ISBN 9782503526157. The issues of state formation 'barbarian' ethnic identity have seen a revival interest recent years, this new volume by Europe, is [End Page 153] welcome addition on these subjects. debate over particularly interesting as it perhaps the area early medieval studies that witnesses most strident debates between two opposing schools thought (usually referred to 'Vienna School' 'Toronto School'). animosity was evident an earlier Brepols publication, On Barbarian Identity: Critical Approaches Ethnicity Middle Ages (A. Gillet, ed., 2002). Fortunately, mostly manages avoid academic vitriol marred Identity, instead scholars, who do not necessarily agree with each other, are able sit happily within covers same volume. introduction includes concise overview ethnicity debate, notes now closer their approach than immediately from language proponents. divided into three sections, one for 'peoples' named title, concentrating eighth eleventh centuries. Somewhat strangely, first paper 'Franks' section, Peter Heather's 'Ethnicity, Group Social Status Migration Period', actually Franks. Instead, serves extended second introduction. Heather provides outline since 1945, offers suggestions how may be moved forward. Investigation Franks begins 'Omnes Franci: Identifications Franks' Helmut Reimitz, demonstrates terms Franci Francia changed time were manipulated process formation. Janet Nelson then concludes short opening section examination 'Frankish Identity Charlemagne's Empire', arguing major concern empire multi-ethnic. Stefan Brink opens discussion 'Northmen' 'People land Scandinavia': people names association topographical features. Unlike many modern provided classical writers use searching prehistoric peoples. Garipzanov concentrates Denmark 'Frontier Identities: Carolingian Frontier gens Danorum', which he argues king Godfried, encountered Charlemagne, controlled smaller border unified Denmark. Examining such evidence Danish coinage, once expansion ended, impetus unification removed. focus moves Norway Sverre Bagge's 'Division Unity Norway'. Bagge suggests strong, but 154] aided absence any strong regional polities presenting alternative. 'Slavs' commences Oleksiy Tolochko Primary Chronicle's description origin Rus state, chronicler heavily influenced Byzantine chronicles, invented some tribes named. Christian Lübke examines fascinating creation name pagan reaction Christianity Luticians. role religion also considered Urbańczyk's 'Slavic During Transition Polish Statehood', describes how, owing lack written or archaeological evidence, 'tribes' Poland been guessed at created order fill void. Neven Budak 'Identities Dalmatia', focusing distinction region Croats, Dalmatians...
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