Aufbruch ins Mittelalter

Martina Hartmann's introduction to Merovingian history is an attractively produced and clearly written volume, mixing high production values and academic standards in a way seemingly alien to British publishers. Beginning with a wide-ranging survey of the written sources (there is, alas, no introduction to the archaeological data which is making ever greater contribution to our knowledge of Merovingian social and economic history, and which she adduces later), Hartmann moves on to a survey of the histoire événementielle of the period. This is followed by a chapter on rulership, government and law and one on Merovingian society. The subsequent three chapters deal with the Merovingian church, with education and culture and with everyday life before a brief final chapter considers the image of the Merovingians in history. Throughout the volume, Hartmann is reliable, well-informed and judicious. Brief and clear introductions to thorny historiographical issues are provided (e.g. the discussion of Childebert

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