Institute for Medieval Studies

Session	313
Title	Fathers and Families in Early Medieval Charters
Date/Time	Monday 6 July 2015: 16.30-18.00
Sponsor	Medieval & Ancient Research Centre (MARCUS), University of Sheffield
Organiser	Rachel Stone, Department of History, King's College London / Library, Learning Resources & Information, University of Bedfordshire
Moderator/Chair	Julia Hillner, Bonn Center for Dependency & Slavery Studies, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Paper 313-a	Sharing Land: Fathers and Families in Merovingian Charters (Language: English) Hannah Probert, Department of History, University of Sheffield Index Terms: Charters and Diplomatics; Daily Life; Law
Paper 313-b	Fathers and Sons in a Charter Database: Statistics and Stories (Language: English) Rachel Stone, Department of History, King's College London / Library, Learning Resources & Information, University of Bedfordshire Index Terms: Charters and Diplomatics; Computing in Medieval Studies; Mentalities
Paper 313-c	Fathers, Sons, and Property Transfer in 10th-Century North Western Italy (Language: English) Ross Balzaretti, Department of History, University of Nottingham Index Terms: Charters and Diplomatics; Law
Abstract	The session will use charters from a variety of early medieval societies (Merovingian Francia, the Carolingian Empire, and both rural and urban areas in 10th-century Italy) to explore the experience and power of fathers. One main focus is the law and practice around families' management of property. How much did control did fathers maintain over adult sons? Are changes over time or between regions visible? When do sons appear in charters and in what roles? The session will also explore the more intimate side of family life. What can charters tell us about tensions within the nuclear family and possibly even about the emotions that fathers might feel towards their household?