The Costs of Fortress Construction in Tenth-Century Germany: The Case of Hildagsburg
Bernard S. Bachrach|David S. Bachrach
It is generally recognized that the Ottonian kings of Germany (919-1024) were powerful. However, there a great deal controversy among specialists in history early medieval German kingdom regarding basis this power. One school thought holds rulers such as Otto I (936-973) ruled rather than governed, and able to use their sacral authority mobilize secular particularly ecclesiastical magnates do bidding. Another raises possibility utilized administrative inheritance from Carolingian predecessors govern manner consistent with earlier states, which made extensive written word other technologies. This study intended demonstrate enormous resources deployed by construct hundreds fortifications, principally along eastern frontiers kingdom. The concomitant necessity mobilizing vast numbers workers well food supplies point advanced capacities royal government under Ottonians consequently maintenance Carolingian-style administration during long tenth century.
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