Making and Unmaking the Carolingians: 751-888
Stuart Airlie
How does power manifest itself in individuals? Why do people obey authority? And how a family, if they are the source of such dominance, convey their superiority and maintain command pre-modern world lacking speedy communications, standing armies formalised political jurisdiction? Here, Stuart Airlie expertly uses this idea authority as lens through which to explore one most famous dynasties medieval Europe: Carolingians. 

Ruling Frankish realm from 751 888, family Charlemagne had be ruthless asserting status adept at creating discourse Carolingian legitimacy order sustain supremacy. Through its nuanced analysis authority, politics Making Unmaking Carolingians, 751-888 outlines system placed dynasty centre world. In doing so, sheds important new light on both rise fall empire nature Europe more generally.