Home Region:  Western Europe (Europe)

Proto-Carolingian

687 CE 751 CE
EQ 2020  fr_merovingian_emp_3 / FrMervL
Preceding Entity: Add one more here.
543 CE 687 CE Middle Merovingian (fr_merovingian_emp_2)    [continuity]

Succeeding Entity: Add one more here.
752 CE 840 CE Carolingian Empire I (fr_carolingian_emp_1)    [continuity]

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  General Description  
This polity represents the late period of the Merovingian Kingdom, from 687 to 751 CE.
Population and political organization
Merovingian France was a largely decentralized kingdom based on the pre-existing Roman administrative system, in which cities were the basic units. [1] The city rulers, known as counts or grafio, who sent the king his tax revenue and carried out judicial and administrative functions, had access to both administrative officials and city archives (gesta municipalia). [2] [1] Groups of cities and counts could be placed under a duke for military and administrative purposes. [3]
In contrast, there was no elaborate central administration, the highest non-royal official being a figure known as the mayor of the palace. [4] The king’s capital and main residence was at Paris, where the population may have reached 30,000 by the 8th century CE, [5] although the court was always a peripatetic institution. [6] The king consulted a group of magnates (obtimates) at an annual gathering around 1 March. Written references to royal edicts are known from 614 CE onwards, but earlier royal legislation has not survived. [7] Merovingian kings had the authority to appoint dukes and counts as well as bishops, who were often ’royal servants with no known connections with their sees’. [8]
From 622 CE onwards the basic territorial divisions of the Merovingian Kingdom were Neustria (centred on the Seine and Oise rivers and associated with the Pactus Legis Salicae law code), [9] Burgundy (where the Liber Constitutionum was developed), and Austrasia (by the Rhine and Meuse, which came to possess its own mayor of the palace [10] and followed the Lex Ribvaria). [9] A fourth area, Aquitaine, had a special status due to its distance from the royal centres and was under less direct Merovingian control. [11]

[1]: (Loseby 1998, 245-49) Loseby, S. T. 1998. “Gregory’s Cities: Urban Functions in Sixth-Century Gaul.” In Franks and Alamanni in the Merovingian Period: An Ethnographic Perspective, edited by I. N. Wood, 239-69. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/DT5E5GNS.

[2]: (Wood 1994, 204) Wood, Ian. 1994. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/ARUIRN35.

[3]: (Bachrach 1972, 67) Bachrach, Bernard S. 1972. Merovingian Military Organization 481-751. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/SG5XNFPG.

[4]: (Halsall 2003, 28) Halsall, Guy. 2003. Warfare and Society in the Barbarian West, 450-900. London: Routledge. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/Z5EZBP2R.

[5]: (Clark and Henneman, Jr. 1995, 1316) Clark, William W., and John Bell Henneman, Jr. 1995. “Paris.” In Medieval France: An Encyclopedia, edited by William W. Kibler, Grover A. Zinn, Lawrence Earp, and John Bell Henneman, Jr., 1314-30. New York: Garland Publishing. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/HS8644XK.

[6]: (Wood 1994, 150-53) Wood, Ian. 1994. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/ARUIRN35.

[7]: (Fouracre 1998, 286-89) Fouracre, P. J. 1998. “The Nature of Frankish Political Institutions in the Seventh Century.” In Franks and Alamanni in the Merovingian Period: An Ethnographic Perspective, edited by Ian Wood, 285-316. Woodbridge: Boydell Press. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/GT2AINW4.

[8]: (Wood 1994, 78) Wood, Ian. 1994. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/ARUIRN35.

[9]: (Wood 1994, 112-15) Wood, Ian. 1994. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/ARUIRN35.

[10]: (Fanning 1995, 157) Fanning, Steven. 1995. “Austrasia.” In Medieval France: An Encyclopedia, edited by William W. Kibler, Grover A. Zinn, Lawrence Earp, and John Bell Henneman, Jr., 156-57. New York: Garland Publishing. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/GR2MKFDX.

[11]: (Wood 1994, 100, 146) Wood, Ian. 1994. The Merovingian Kingdoms 450-751. London: Longman. Seshat URL: https://www.zotero.org/groups/1051264/seshat_databank/items/itemKey/ARUIRN35.

Economy Variables (Luxury Goods) Coding in Progress.
Religion Variables Coding in Progress.

NGA Settlements:

Year Range Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3) was in:
 (687 CE 750 CE) Paris Basin
Home NGA: Paris Basin

General Variables
Identity and Location Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Utm Zone 31 U 687 CE  751 CE
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Original Name Proto-Carolingian 687 CE  751 CE
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Capital Paris 687 CE  751 CE
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Alternative Name Merovingian Kingdom 687 CE  751 CE
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Alternative Name Merovingian Kingdoms 687 CE  751 CE
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Alternative Name Franks 687 CE  751 CE
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Alternative Name Frankish Kingdom 687 CE  751 CE
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Alternative Name Frankish Kingdoms 687 CE  751 CE
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Temporal Bounds Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Peak Years
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Duration [687 CE ➜ 751 CE]
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Political and Cultural Relations Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Suprapolity Relations none 687 CE  751 CE
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Succeeding Entity Carolingian Empire I 687 CE  751 CE
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Relationship to Preceding Entity continuity 687 CE  751 CE
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Preceding Entity
543 CE 687 CE
Middle Merovingian (fr_merovingian_emp_2)   [continuity] 
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Succeeding Entity
752 CE 840 CE
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Language Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Linguistic Family Indo-European 687 CE  751 CE
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Language Latin 687 CE  751 CE
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Language Germanic 687 CE  751 CE
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Religion Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
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Social Complexity Variables
Social Scale Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Population of the Largest Settlement 687 CE  751 CE
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Polity Territory 687 CE  751 CE
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Polity Population 687 CE  751 CE
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Hierarchical Complexity Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
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Settlement Hierarchy 687 CE  751 CE
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Religious Level 687 CE  751 CE
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Military Level 687 CE  751 CE
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Administrative Level 687 CE  751 CE
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Professions Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Soldier 687 CE  751 CE
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Professional Priesthood 687 CE  751 CE
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Professional Military Officer 687 CE  751 CE
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Bureaucracy Characteristics Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Government Building 687 CE  751 CE
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Merit Promotion 687 CE  751 CE
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Full Time Bureaucrat 687 CE  751 CE
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Examination System Unknown Suspected 687 CE  751 CE
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Law Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Professional Lawyer 687 CE  751 CE
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Judge 687 CE  751 CE
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687 CE  751 CE
Court 687 CE  751 CE
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Specialized Buildings: polity owned Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Market 687 CE  751 CE
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Irrigation System 687 CE  751 CE
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Food Storage Site 687 CE  751 CE
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Drinking Water Supply System 687 CE  751 CE
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Transport Infrastructure Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Road 687 CE  751 CE
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Port 687 CE  751 CE
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Canal 687 CE  751 CE
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Bridge 687 CE  751 CE
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Special-purpose Sites Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
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Mines or Quarry 687 CE  751 CE
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Information / Writing System Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Written Record 687 CE  751 CE
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Script 687 CE  751 CE
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Phonetic Alphabetic Writing 687 CE  751 CE
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Nonwritten Record 687 CE  751 CE
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Non Phonetic Writing 687 CE  751 CE
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Information / Kinds of Written Documents Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Sacred Text 687 CE  751 CE
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Religious Literature 687 CE  751 CE
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Practical Literature 687 CE  751 CE
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Philosophy 687 CE  751 CE
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Lists Tables and Classification 687 CE  751 CE
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History 687 CE  751 CE
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Fiction Present Inferred 687 CE  751 CE
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Calendar 687 CE  751 CE
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Information / Money Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Precious Metal 687 CE  751 CE
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Paper Currency Absent Inferred 687 CE  751 CE
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Indigenous Coin 687 CE  751 CE
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Foreign Coin 687 CE  751 CE
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Article 687 CE  751 CE
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Information / Postal System Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Postal Station Unknown Suspected 687 CE  751 CE
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General Postal Service Unknown Suspected 687 CE  751 CE
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Courier Unknown Suspected 687 CE  751 CE
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Information / Measurement System Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
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Warfare Variables (Military Technologies)
Fortifications Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wooden Palisade 687 CE  751 CE
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Stone Walls Non Mortared 687 CE  751 CE
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Stone Walls Mortared 687 CE  751 CE
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Settlements in a Defensive Position 687 CE  751 CE
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Modern Fortification 687 CE  751 CE
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Moat 687 CE  751 CE
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Fortified Camp 687 CE  751 CE
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Earth Rampart 687 CE  751 CE
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Ditch 687 CE  751 CE
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Complex Fortification 687 CE  751 CE
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Long Wall unknown Suspected 687 CE  751 CE
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Military use of Metals Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Steel 687 CE  751 CE
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Steel 687 CE  751 CE
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Iron 687 CE  751 CE
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Copper 687 CE  751 CE
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Bronze 687 CE  751 CE
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Projectiles Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Tension Siege Engine 687 CE  751 CE
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Sling Siege Engine 687 CE  751 CE
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Sling 687 CE  751 CE
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Self Bow 687 CE  751 CE
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Javelin 687 CE  751 CE
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Gunpowder Siege Artillery 687 CE  751 CE
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Crossbow 687 CE  751 CE
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Composite Bow 687 CE  751 CE
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Atlatl 687 CE  751 CE
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Handheld weapons Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
War Club 687 CE  751 CE
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Sword 687 CE  751 CE
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Spear 687 CE  751 CE
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Polearm 687 CE  751 CE
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Dagger 687 CE  751 CE
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Battle Axe 687 CE  751 CE
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Animals used in warfare Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Horse 687 CE  751 CE
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Elephant 687 CE  751 CE
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Donkey 687 CE  751 CE
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Dog 687 CE  751 CE
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Camel 687 CE  751 CE
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Armor Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Wood Bark Etc 687 CE  751 CE
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Shield 687 CE  751 CE
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Scaled Armor 687 CE  751 CE
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Plate Armor Unknown Suspected 687 CE  751 CE
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Limb Protection 687 CE  751 CE
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Leather Cloth 687 CE  751 CE
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Laminar Armor 687 CE  751 CE
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Helmet 687 CE  751 CE
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Chainmail 687 CE  751 CE
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Breastplate 687 CE  751 CE
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Naval technology Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Specialized Military Vessel 687 CE  751 CE
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Small Vessels Canoes Etc 687 CE  751 CE
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Merchant Ships Pressed Into Service 687 CE  751 CE
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Economy Variables (Luxury Goods)
Religion Variables
Moralizing Supernatural Punishment and Reward Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
Variable Coded Value / Certainty Tags Year(s) See More
Moralizing Enforcement is Broad 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Concern is Primary 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Agentic 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Supernatural Punishment And Reward 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Commoners 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Targeted 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement in Afterlife 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Religion Adopted by Elites 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement of Rulers 687 CE  751 CE
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Moralizing Enforcement is Certain 687 CE  751 CE
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Human Sacrifice Proto-Carolingian (fr_merovingian_emp_3)
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Instability Data
Power Transitions