Page:The history of medieval Europe.djvu/206

 170 THE HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE the land economic and social inequality developed among them as elsewhere at that time. The Lombard laws of the early eighth century distinguish three classes of freemen serving in the army; namely, those who are to arm them- selves only with shield and bow and arrows, those who have more land and can afford a shield and spear and horse, and the richest, who must also wear a coat of mail and perhaps provide other soldiers besides themselves. The very poor- est freemen, on the other hand, are excused from fighting at all, probably because they can afford no equipment that would render them of any service in battle. Instead they are to do carting for the army and work for the leaders while they are away fighting. The Anglo-Saxon conquest of England seems to have been more thorough than that of the Lombards even in Lombardy itself. The Anglo-Saxons established a Teutonic language throughout England and later developed a written literature and formed a united state and nation. Before the Lombards could accomplish this, they were conquered by the Franks, and the union of Italy was put off until the nineteenth century. EXERCISES AND READINGS A. The Primary Sources Life of St. Columban by the Monk Jonas. ' Translations and Reprints of the University of Pennsylvania, vol. n, no. 7, pp. 2-36. (This exercise will be found too long for one day's assign- ment.) 1. What information is given concerning Ireland and its civilization at this period? 2. With the aid of the index of an historical atlas trace the wander- ings of Columban from his landing in Brittany to his final settle- ment at Bobbio in northern Italy, locating upon an Outline map the various places which he visited. 3. Characterize Columban's education and learning. 4. What book is quoted most by the author of this biography? 5. Characterize Columban's relations with and attitude toward the monarchs and states of his time. How does his career illustrate the power of the Church over the barbarians? 6. Describe Columban's relations with animals. 7. Of the many miracles recounted in this Life, select at least one example of each of the following: (a) obvious imitation of miracles