This collection of highly original essays by leading early medieval historians honours the work and career of Dame Janet (Jinty) Nelson, one of the most respected and influential scholars of her generation. The essays build on the spirit of Janet Nelson's work by linking the study of Francia with at least one other area or general theme of early medieval history. The papers range across all of the regions of Europe affected by Frankish culture and explore themes which reflect the cutting edge of the work she inspired: memory, queenship, the treatment of prisoners of war, penance, the use of property, historiography, palaeography, prosopography and religious organization. The volume includes an appreciation of her career, and is rounded off by a topical index to highlight its thematic aspects.The contributors are drawn from those who have worked alongside Janet Nelson and from some of her former students. They include David Bates, Stephen Baxter, Wendy Davies, Paul Fouracre and David Ganz.

List of contributorsList of abbreviationsPrefaceDame Jinty Nelson: an appreciation, Paul Fouracre and David GanzCharters, law codes and formulae: the Franks between theory and practice, Alice RioCompulsory purchase in the earlier Middle Ages, Susan Reynolds Gallic or Greek? Archbishops in England from Theodore to Ecgbehrt, Alan Thacker Forgetting and remembering Dagobert II. The English connection, Paul Fouracre Some Carolingian questions from Charlemagne's days, David Ganz'Immune from heresy'. Defining the boundaries of Carolingian Christianity, Matthew InnesEnglish History and Irish Readers in the Frankish World, Paul KershawIn search of the Carolingian 'dear lord', Rachel StoneMaking a difference in tenth-century politics: King Athelstan's sisters and Frankish queenship, Simon MacLean,The Carolingian capture of Aachen in 978 and its historiographical footprint, Theo Riches''Absoluimus uos uice beati petri apostolorum principis''. Episcopal authority and the reconciliationof excommunicants in England and Francia c. 900- c.1150, Sarah HamiltonFontenoy and after: pursuing enemies to death in France between the ninth and the eleventh centuries, John GillinghamThe death of Burgheard son of Aelfgar and its context, Stephen Baxter.The Representation of queenship in Anglo-Norman charters, David BatesBretons and Franks: the impact of the modern political climate on writing the history of the early middle ages, Wendy DaviesAppendix: Domesday entries for persons named BurgheardPublications of Professor Janet L. NelsonTabula GratulatoriaIndex of topics, compiled by C. P. Lewis