Often differences and similarities between people may be obvious but more often their relationships can be difficult to recognize. “The relationships of individuals to the societies in which they live vary widely with time and place”. (Blair Nelson from the syllabus for assignment Essay Exam 1).
Clovis the King of the Franks was a king from the 9th century who laid the foundation of England; a 12th century Southampton merchant who sold agricultural products, wine from France, wool and a variety of goods sought by the wealthy; the serf, a mere peasant bound to work and serve the manor ruled by the lord. These three different individuals when compared to each other so different being from different levels of this middle-age social and economic ladder yet “are related to their communities and the larger society”. (Blair Nelson from the syllabus for assignment Essay Exam 1).
Despite their differences these three people, King Clovis, the Southampton merchant, and even the lowly serf played a significant role to society in general. Although these three people related to their community in different ways, all three of these people related to medieval society in general in a way that led to its formation.
History books tell us that Clovis became chief of his tribe in the year 481 when he was 16 years old. Despite his youth Clovis was a savvy leader and a powerful warrior but was also very ambitious, killing all of his potential political rivals and taking over their tribes. Beginning his campaign to take over Gaul in 486 he defeated the army of Roman general Syagrius and occupied the city of Soissons. With this Clovis had almost complete control over Gaul and he proclaimed himself King of the Franks. Clovis the King of the F...
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...nett and Hollister, pgs. 167 & 174 and Andrea, pg. 248)
In conclusion, While Clovis King of the Franks, the serf and the Southampton wool merchant each related to their individual communities in their own way, yet related to medieval society in general in a way that shaped it into the society we study today. It’s interesting how people can be so different socially and economically yet can still have an effect on society as a whole.
Works Cited
Andrea, Alfred J. The Medieval Record: Sources of Medieval History. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.
Bennett, Judith M. & Hollister, C. Warren. Medieval Europe: A Short History. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2006.
Nosotro, Rit. “Clovis: 465-511 First Christian King of the Franks.” Hyperhistory.net.
Last Updated: 12/22/09. Date Accessed: 3/20/10
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