Problems of Comparing Rural Societies in Early Medieval Western Europe
Chris Wickham
There is surprisingly little early medieval social history being written. In recent years, more specifically economic has had a remarkable rebirth, thanks to the (largely unconnected) efforts of archaeologists on one side and Belgian German historians other; but study society in general, outside restricted spheres aristocracy church, been neglected. I speak schematically; obviously, there are notable exceptions. But it significant that noone, any country, thought worthwhile attempt synthesis European socio-economic as whole could replace those Alfons Dopsch or, maybe, André Déléage. It would be hard; people have tried for centuries after 900, with interesting (even if inevitably controversial) results. Why not earlier? Richard Sullivan recently lamented conservatism most Carolingian scholarship; arena history, he easily extended his complaints back 500.
Transactions of the Royal Historical Society