Margaret Deanesly - A History of Early Medieval Europe: From 476–911

Volume 10

MARGARET DEANESLY

TRIUMPH OF A BYZANTINE EMPEROR (p. 146)
Barberini ivory: Early 6th century

I N dealing with so large a subject as the history of early medieval Europe, and in a relatively small volume, the temptation to give most space to what most interests oneself is very strong. I can only say in apology that I share my interests with the present generation of history students: or that they have, more probably, inspired them in me. I have tried, in fact, while dealing with the political backbone, the succession of events, in early medieval Europe, to indicate also the ancestry of her culture and institutions. This is, indeed, not quite a simple matter, for though undoubtedly our richest inheritance comes from our Greco-Roman and Germanic forbears, we had culturally a lot of incidental ancestors as well. It was the nomads settled in the Crimea who taught us to use safetypins, and the Syrian merchants to eat black [French] plums at Christmas.

With regard to the brief chronological treatment of the history of the different European countries, I have probably overloaded the story with proper names, but this is intended to guide students using the chroniclers and the larger monographs. I have used the forms of proper names given in the Cambridge Medieval History, while preferring (if there is a difference) those of The Shorter Cambridge Medieval History. I have used the modern forms of placenames (if such exist), and, where possible, those of The Oxford Atlas, O.U.P., 1951.

As customary in this series, the history of Britain is omitted, except for casual references in allusion or for comparison.

The bibliographical notes again are highly selective. It is to be hoped that in addition to the maps provided, recourse will be had to R. L. Pooles Historical Atlas of Modern Europe, the maps in the Cambridge Medieval History, or Muirs Historical Atlas: medieval and modern, ed. G. Goodall and R. F. Treharne, 8th ed. 1952.

To those who have kindly helped me I owe great thanks, in particular to Professor Joan Hussey for Byzantine illumination in general and for reading and correcting the Byzantine chapters. For me, Professor Hussey lit the Byzantine candles. I owe similar thanks to Professor R. R. Betts with regard to the Slavs and for reading chapter xxv: to Professor B. Lewis with regard to Islam and reading chapter xi: and to Dr Florence Harmer with regard to the Scandinavians and for reading the relevant part of chapter xxiv. I am most grateful also to Professors M. Cary and F. Wormald, for help over a number of years.

MARGARET DEANESLY

196 CLARENCE GATE GARDENS

LONDON, N.W.I

I SHOULD like to thank the reviewers of the first edition of this book, and those who wrote letters about it, for pointing out slips and errors and making many suggestions. The errors I hope I have corrected in this edition. The suggestions I have tried to use, short of rewriting large portions of the book or much increasing its length.

The suggestion that the first edition of the book has a strong west-European bias I have tried to deal with, short of serious alteration of spacing. In this matter I have to thank Mr W. Jardine Grisbrooke, whose learning and attractions are east European rather than west European, for much help; I also owe him many thanks for general help in proof reading.

MARGARET DEANESLY

196 CLARENCE GATE GARDENS

LONDON, N.W.I