Strassmeir, Andreas / Gagelmann, Andreas Das fränkische Heer der Merowingerzeit

Franks, Alamanni, Burgundians, Thuringians and Bavarians, 5th-8th century AD.
Part 1: Clothing, dress accessories, personal equipment, armour
From the 3rd century AD onwards, Frankish followers repeatedly invaded Roman Gaul, where they wreaked severe havoc. As a result, Emperor Julian settled Frankish warriors and their families in Toxandria in present-day North Brabant in exchange for military services, where they took over border security. The Franks not only made up a considerable proportion of the soldiers in the Roman army anyway, but through their service they also reached the highest military and civil leadership positions, whose holders were often also Frankish district kings. Eventually, one of them, King Clovis I of the Merovingian dynasty, succeeded in eliminating the other Frankish petty kings and conquering all of Gaul after the decline of Western Roman power. Under him and his successors, the Franks rose to become the leading military power in Central Europe.

In this first volume, in addition to a brief historical outline, the costume, protective weapons and personal equipment of the warriors of the Frankish Empire are first described in detail. The graphic reconstructions cover leaders and retainers from the period from the middle of the 4th to the second half of the 6th century A.D. They are based on the numerous surviving weapon graves, some of which are richly furnished, as well as on the few surviving written sources.

Contents:
Time table (236-561 A.D.)
Introduction

Historical Background
- The Franks and the Roman Empire
- Clovis, King of the Franks
-Chlovis' Heirs: Imperial division and expansion

Sources
- Pictorial sources
- Written sources
- Archaeological sources
- Principles of reconstruction

Costume and costume accessories
- Clothing
- Tunic and flap skirt
- Leggings
- Coat and brooches
- Fabrics and dress colours
- Footwear and gloves
- Jewellery
- Hair and beard costume
- Belts

Belt pouches and bag hangers
Personal equipment

Protective weapons
- The helmet
- The armour.