Society and Politics
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·       Practical politics = a different ball game. Importance of kinship + dynastic hold; basis for political relationships and inheritance. Social duties.

·       Importance of women - link men, peace-weavers, focus of court interest groups. Critical nature of marriage alliances. Focus for loyalties (e.g. Charlemagne’s marriage to Hildegard served to assuage Alemannic resentment at Carolingian takeover). Needed by kings - key role in running household.

·       Conflict between rival dynastic branches à vulnerability to rivals. Importance of names in indicating legitimacy. Charles the Bald tried to exclude legitimate heirs by tonsuring them. Neither = effective bar - Arnulf became king of E Francia 887 despite illegitimacy

·       Sons of Charlemagne + Louis the Pious resented father’s interference (e.g. Louis redrew boundaries of sub-kingdoms).

·       Kings had unique Palace entourage - e.g. Adalhard 840s; years of influence under Louis the Pious à so influential that Charles married his niece. Adalhard became ‘potens’ through proximity to the ruler. Owed much to royal favour, but ploughed it back into their social influence - could be trusted to further royal interests. Kings kept control.

·       Court full of young nobles - learning soc/ pol / mil skills / networking. Also young non-nobles and clerics; king had access to various social groups.

·       Kingship + lordship went together + reinforced each other.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Basis of Power
2. Carolignian Geneaology
3. Carolignians and Italy
4. Chronological Analysis
5. Church
6. Communications
7. Did growth lead to a more systematic style of government?
8. Domestic government and power bases
9. Ideology of Power
10. Importance of the West 814 - 898
11. Kingship and Royal Government - Janet Nelson
12. Logistics of Power
13. Nobility and Expansion Dynamic
14. Nobility and Expansion Dynamic - Effect on surrounding peoples
15. Plunder and Tribute in the Carolignian Empire
16. Society and Politics
17. Sociology of Power
18. The Carolignian Experiment - EF James
19. Vikings

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