A01=Matthew Bryan Gillis
Abbo of Saint Germain Paris
Ambrosius Autpertus
Author_Matthew Bryan Gillis
battle narrative
battle scenes
Bella Parisiacae Urbis
Carolingian
Carolingian holy war
Carolingian warfare
Category=DSC
Category=NHDJ
Category=NHWD
Category=QRM
Charlemagne
Charles Martel
election
emotion
eq_bestseller
eq_biography-true-stories
eq_history
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_new_release
eq_nobargain
eq_non-fiction
Ermold the Black
fear
Florus of Lyon
Historia vel Gesta Francorum
holy war
horror
Latin poetry
Lex Salica
liturgy
Louis the Pious
martyr
medieval warfare
military history
military service
narrative techniques
narrative texts
Northmen
poetry
predestination
Sedulius Scottus
sermon
Sin
spiritual enrichment
terror
Product details
- ISBN 9781526193780
- Weight: 473g
- Dimensions: 140 x 216mm
- Publication Date: 14 Apr 2026
- Publisher: Manchester University Press
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Hardback
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
Christ’s war examines Carolingian holy war from the forging of their empire in the eighth century to its dissolution in the late ninth century during the Northmen’s attacks. It argues that the Franks understood their wars to be holy when their soldiers were without sin and, therefore, were holy themselves. God heard their prayers as they begged for divine aid, and he helped them overcome and slaughter their foes. Therefore, the Carolingian vision of holy war differed from the pious, apocalyptic military pilgrimages of the subsequent Crusades. Latin poetry serves as an important source in this study for understanding holy war, including how poets dramatized glorious victories or horrifying defeats for their audiences. The book offers important insights into the religious nature of Frankish warfare, while also contributing a fresh and innovative perspective on medieval holy war overall.
Matthew Bryan Gillis is Associate Professor of History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
