From Roman fundus to Early Medieval grand domaine: Crucial Ruptures between Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Guy Halsall
Peter Sarris has recently restated the idea that bipartite estate’s origins lie in late Roman period. This article defends consensus view of estate against this view. It looks back to period northern Gaul but sees “ background” rather different terms from those usually envisaged. then discusses how situation changed course fifth and sixth centuries, argue debate on rural management organisation cannot be separated other discussions, such as nature earlier Merovingian aristocracy society more generally. therefore underlines variety dynamism history early medieval estates whilst adding it an element unpredictability. Within generally dynamic history, a crucial role is played by changes between last third century first half seventh. Their importance lies not simply, retrospectively teleologically, establishing conditions within which classic” grand domaine could emerge definitively breaking any clear line descent fundus great estate” later Carolingian
Revue Belge De Philologie Et D Histoire