Rethinking the Carolingian Reforms

Arthur Westwell editor Ingrid Rembold editor Carine van Rhijn editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Manchester University Press

Published:25th Apr '23

Should be back in stock very soon

Rethinking the Carolingian Reforms cover

The Carolingian period (c. 750-900) has traditionally been described as one of ‘reform’ or ‘renaissance’, where cultural and intellectual changes were imposed from above in a programme of correctio. This view leans heavily on prescriptive texts issued by kings and their entourages, foregrounding royal initiative and the cultural products of a small intellectual elite. However, attention to understudied texts and manuscripts of the period reveals a vibrant striving for moral improvement and positive change at all levels of society. This expressed itself in a variety of ways for different individuals and communities, whose personal relationships could be just as influential as top-down prescription. The often anonymous creators and copyists in a huge range of centres emerge as active participants in shaping and re-shaping the ideals of their world.

ISBN: 9781526149558

Dimensions: 216mm x 138mm x 17mm

Weight: 485g

296 pages