Germanic tribes broke up the Western Roman Empire and put themselves in the seat of power where the Romans previously sat. The new conquerors based their society on slave labor just as the Roman society.
The Merovingian Dynasty of Frankish Kings (428- 751AD):
A German/ French (Gaul) tribe from the Rhine River area who conquered all the other barbarians in Gaul (modern France) and established a three-century dynasty. They converted to the Roman Catholic faith and dominated Western Europe. Since the Franks came into power by conquering and staying in power through constant warfare with other tribes, the number of slaves from the losing tribes increased. The Anglo- Saxon (Denmark/ Northern Germany) captives’ prices were especially at a premium on the slave markets because they were thought to be beautiful by the Franks.
Franks themselves fell into slavery if they failed to pay a debt or fine. Cruel treatment of slaves was common during the rule of the Franks. Anyone caught stealing or killing a slave had to pay a fine to the master equal to the price of a horse. If you could not pay, you would be eligible for slavery to that master. Slaves of the Franks had no legal rights and were considered to have no family, meaning that they could sell parts of a slave family, although the Church tried to discourage this practice. Denied legal rights, the slave was not recognized by the Franks. Only freemen were considered part of the Frankish people. Eventually, the national name of “Franks” and “free legal status” became interchangeable. “Libre” and “Franc” came to mean the same thing.
Slavery in Medieval France:
Around 751AD, when the Carolingians (descendents of Charles Martel) became rulers of the Frankish domains, a great many slaves began to be set free every year. The reason was because the economy was changing. The great estates of the past were now subdivided and the masses of slave labor were no longer needed. Greater wealth could be derived from the collection of rents and services. Also, more power would come from a protective control over freemen. And finally, the Church said that the rich folk could get to heaven (save their souls) by freeing their slaves. By the beginning of the 12th century, Northern France knew only the single category of serf; servile, personal dependents bound to the land and the master by birth.
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