Frankish military duty and the fate of Roman taxation
Walter Goffart
Frankish kings exacted unpaid military service from their subjects in both Merovingian and Carolingian times. The basis for this right has long been uncertain. A study of the term ‘manse’ as a measure assets brings to light ostensibly hidden property on whose Franks went war. This duty reached back origins kingdom, when large share Roman taxes was awarded individual allotments soldiers obligated serve, otherwise unpaid, summoned, heavily fined if they did not. Both demesne tributary manses – contributory units were main part state resources applied costs. They cannot be simply envisaged components an agricultural scheme (grand domaine). tax‐like obligation one among several institutions actively surviving fifth century ninth, it suggests that government more law‐based administrative than is often allowed.
Early Medieval Europe