The Carolingian Empire

by Heinrich Fichtenau

Originally published by Basil Blackwell Publishers, 1957

Genres: History, Medieval History, Politics, Nonfiction, European History, Carolingian, France

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

Reviews

[Alina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This study shows its date. Fichtenau doesn't analyze the primary sources he uses. He doesn't consider the narrative style of those sources. His religious sensibilities prevent him from being objective in his evaluation of the Carolingian Empire. He claims that the veneration of relics began in the 9th century even though Eastern Christians also were into the practice. He thinks the practice is a violation of true Christianity, but that's just his own opinion. Religious practices should be evaluated from within a particular social and political context. He also contrasts Charlemagne's empire with what he believes a Christian empire should look like (implying that perfect Christian empires once existed). Finally, he refers to Non-Christians as heathens and praises Christianity for at least improving the religious conditions of the empire. I read old histories to learn about the transformation of historical criticism in the past 50 years, so I did not waste my time. But I certainly wouldn't recommend this book. I'm sure Johannes Fried's biography on Charlemagne is better.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book but one that has been abridged apparently. I particularly liked how he showed the complexity of the bond of fealty. One thing I found strange was that the chapter titled “The Poor” was almost entirely about those peasants forced to become priests and monks. This may have been poor abridgment.
Note that the edition I read, published by University of Toronto press in 1968, does not seem to have been edited and has numerous typos.

[Thomas Baughman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Introduction to the Carolingian World.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another of the many great books about the Middle Ages I was referred to by Norman F. Cantor in "the inventing of the middle ages". I doubt I would ever have come across this book without the help of Cantor's guide to the literature.

This book is translated from the German... in the sixties, but Fictenau is writing about the 800's, so you shouldn't be put off by the age of the book. The copy that I bought is a reprint by the "mediaveal academy for teaching". It has a plain red orange cover and lacks charm.

The basic idea of the book is that the Carolingian Empire managed to combine a number of conflicting trends through the strong personality of its leader... Charles the Great. After the death of Charles, the conflicts were brought to the front, and the empire disintegrated. So lay off on on Louis the Pious, OK? It wasn't his fault that the Carolingian Empire fell apart!

This is a very manageable book (170 pgs.) on an immense topic and I recommend it as an introduction to the subject.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the abridged English translation. A very interesting read but probably not for someone without familiarity with the topic, and if you aren't genuinely interested in Carolingian history it may be hard to get through. The focus is mainly on Charlemagne's rule, and the mentions of other Carolingian rulers serves to contrast them to him. Fichtenau argues that the issues that led to the dismantling of the empire were already present under Charlemagne, just better hidden and with a ruler better suited to keeping them at bay. I would also echo what some other reviews have mentioned about the chapter on "The Poor" in that it seems slightly out of place and focuses more on the lower clergy than the peasantry at large. While the age of the work does show in its rather surface level engagement with primary sources, I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in Carolingian history.

[Michael Joosten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprised of about half a dozen chapters's, Fichtenau's CAROLINGIAN EMPIRE (at least in translation--I do not claim to have knowledge of the original German text, of which this is said to be a partial abridgement) is not so much a single examination of the reign of Carolus Magnus as it is a thesis about it, written in half a dozen varied ways (one to a chapter), each of which examine a facet of Carolingian culture, and thereby provide a great deal of expository information to the reader, while furthering the main thesis that the Carolingian empire, built on the person of Charlemagne himself and on a shifting--and unstable--set of Frankish traditions ill-equipped in their current form to maintain an empire. A thorough, but dry read.

[Larry Farlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice overview of the Carolingian era. Most general histories devote but a few pages to this important era of European history. If you're looking for a more in-depth look at Charles the Great and his empire this is a great place to start.

[Trevor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book, besides the fact that I find the subject terribly boring, was pure torture. Do not read it if you want to keep your sanity.

[Gerald Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains extensive references to the details of the integration of the church and government offices.