The Carolingian Economy

During the Carolingian period the economy struggled. One of the reasons for this was
because of the Merovingian warfare and political instability. Sons would inherit from their King
fathers and look at the distribution of kingdoms as being their own property and brothers would
fight over who possessed what. There was also the loss of commercial contact between Europe
and the east because of the Muslim raids in the Mediterranean. (Bucur 249-250)
Coinage was changed over from gold to silver because of luxury items being of less
importance and less available. People relied as much as possible on self-sufficiency. Agriculture
was the most important commodity of this period. What items they did need that they didnt
produce themselves, were often bartered for. Clothing was also something that they made
themselves. (Bucur 250)
The markets became fewer as there was no longer a high demand for them. Merchants
still brought wares from the east to markets near the residences of nobles and bishops, but in
smaller quantities and less often. (Bucur 249). At the markets peasants bartered or purchased
only what was needed to supplement the foods that they grew. Most of the transport and services
that the markets provided were to the abbeys and churches. One of the most important
transported commodities of this period was salt. Salt was greatly needed as a preservative and
was produced in Europe. (Verhulst)
During times of famine, Kings directed nobles and those who held estates to provide for
the families living on them. This was not so much because of caring about the people as much as
wanting to be able to keep the work force continuing. (Verhulst)
The decline in trade contributed to a decline in both number and size of cities in western
Europe. (Bucur 250) One of the reasons was the fact that there were fewer royal officials and
they shifted their focus away from the cities to the countryside where the lords lived. Because of
this the peoples of cities were not protected from invaders or bandits. (Bucur 251)
Overall this period was difficult and along with famine, disease and invaders, the people
lived a very hard sometimes impossible existence. Eventually as the threats in the Mediterranean
became a little more stabilized and trade began to resume the economy began to improve.
Works Cited
Bucur, Mark, Kidner, Frank, L. et al. "The Kingdoms of Western Europe, 500-1000." Bucur, Mark, Kidner,
Frank, L. et al. Making Europe The Story of the West. Boston: Wadsworth , 2014. 249. Print.
Verhulst, Adriaan E. The Carolingian Economy. New York, 4 October 2014. Cambridge University Press,
eBook Collection (EBSCO host).