Conquest and Christianization: Saxony and the Carolingian World, 772–888 (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series, Series Number 108)

Following its violent conquest by Charlemagne (772–804), Saxony became both a Christian and a Carolingian region. This book sets out to re-evaluate the political integration and Christianization of Saxony and to show how the success of this transformation has important implications for how we view governance, the institutional church, and Christian communities in the early Middle Ages. A burgeoning array of Carolingian regional studies are pulled together to offer a new synthesis of the history of Saxony in the Carolingian Empire and to undercut the narrative of top-down Christianization with a more grassroots model that highlights the potential for diversity within Carolingian Christianity. This book is a comprehensive and accessible account which will provide students with a fresh view of the incorporation of Saxony into the Carolingian world. List of Figures page viii Maps ix Acknowledgements xiii Note on Translations xv List of Abbreviations xvi Introduction 1 Part I. Politics of Conquest 37 1. The Saxon Wars 39 2. The "Stellinga" 85 Part II. Conversion and Christianization 141 3. Founder and Patrons 143 4. Religion and Society 188 Conclusion 243 Bibliography of Primary Sources in English Translation 245 Bibliography of Works Cited 247 Index 274 The political integration and Christianization of Saxony has long been counted among Charlemagne's failures. This accessible account of the conquest re-evaluates this view and shows how the success of this transformation has important implications for how we view governance, the institutional church, and Christian communities in the early Middle Ages. Politics Of Conquest -- The Saxon Wars -- The Stellinga -- Conversion And Christianization -- Founders And Patrons -- Religion And Society. Ingrid Rembold, University Of Oxford. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.