Reflections on the Medieval German Nobility
John B. Freed
As TIMOTHY REUTER OBSERVED, the nobility has been one of main concerns medieval historians since second world war, but surprisingly little European scholarship on subject is generally known in English-speaking world.' Except for Reuter's own translations a number important articles, only Georges Duby's studies have readily accessible to English and American students.2 German scholars concentrated origins nobility, structural transformation aristocratic kindred, rise ministerials. medievalists began investigate these topics during Nazi period,3 two postwar political developments stimulated interest nobility. The movement united Europe that invoked Charlemagne as its patron saint-the headquarters Common Market are located Building Brussels4-has focused attention common Frankish heritage France Germany nobility's role creation
The American Historical Review