The francs

Since the 5th century, the Roman emperors withdrew from the western and northern parts of their empire. Among the subsequent societies, the one that lasted the longest is the one we associate today with the kings of the Merovingians and Carolingians. Bernhard Jussen vividly describes how this colorful, multi-ethnic society formed with its centers of creativity between the Rhine and Loire, hand in hand with the establishment of the Roman Church. He demonstrates what makes this early post-Roman society, which we call 'the Franks,' still relevant today.