Abstract

BOOK REVIEWS 117 eighth century, but ending before the end of Merovingian rule in 751. One may take issue with this chronological framework, for perhaps an extension of analysis in terms of coverage to either the half-century before 500 and after 700 could have contributed further useful contrasts and scenarios to add to the bricks and mortar of Buchberger’s argument. Her sources are a combination of narrative, poetic and normative materials. For Iberia we have John of Biclar’s Chronicle; Isidore of Seville’s Historia; The Lives of the Fathers of Merida and material from Visigothic law and Church councils. The contrast with Frankish material is interesting since the narratives of Gregory of Tours, the poetry of Venantius Fortunatus, the work of “Fre- degar” and Frankish hagiography are all analysed to elucidate the use of ethnonyms. Context and terminology is scrutinised and considered. Yet there are flies in this ointment. Where one might want to see detailed and exhaustive treatment rather than “selective treatment” (p. 166) to test the hypotheses, e.g. with Frankish hagiography, we only have three (admittedly useful) snap-shots. Discussion of both Gaugeric of Cambrai and Eligius of Noyon could have been usefully supplemented. Perhaps this is where some