Coins, Dies, Silver: for a new approach to the making of the feudal period

Jens Christian Moesgaard (1, 2) , Guillaume Sarah (2) , Marc Bompaire (2, 3)

1 Le Studium Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies, 45000 Orléans, France
2 IRAMAT-CEB - IRAMAT - Centre Ernest Babelon
3 EPHE - École Pratique des Hautes Études

The transition in the 10th century from the centralised Carolingian state to the decentralised feudal principalities is a subject of debate among historians: was it a violent breakdown or a continuous evolution? The major problem facing historians is the scarcity of written sources. But coins are numerous and constitute a relevant source material. Indeed, Coinage is an official institution, and studying it informs us about the state of society and the organisation of the administration. The study of Norman coinage in the 10th century shows a large and well-managed production and a firm control of the circulation. Exchange fees provided income for the duke. This reflects a well-organised stable administration and an ability of controlling society, far from the chaotic, violent and anarchistic picture of early feudalism that is sometimes purported.

Mots clés: Coins; Normandy; 10th century; Managed currency; Metal analyses; Public administration; Public revenues

Domaines: Sciences de l'Homme et Société

Jens Christian Moesgaard, Guillaume Sarah, Marc Bompaire. Coins, Dies, Silver: for a new approach to the making of the feudal period. 2018, pp.25-29. ⟨10.34846/Le-Studium.162.05.FR.09-2018⟩. ⟨hal-03221018⟩