History Professor's Book Examines Frankish Church Councils

assistant history professor Gregory Halfond last week read excerpts from his book The Archaeology of Frankish Church Councils, AD 511-768 (Medieval Law and Its Practice).

The reading was part of the University's second author’s event series held last week, which featured the recently-published work of three faculty members.

Halfond said the title of his book "is somewhat misleading."

The book examines the Councils between the reigns of Clovis and Charlemagne. During those reigns, more than 80 ecclesiastical councils assembled to discuss issues and concerns, including slaves and trading of slaves.

Halfond, during the reading, said that the Roman legislature was "much harsher than the Franks," when it came to the issue of slavery.

Halfond teaches ancient and medieval European history. His research looks at law and religion in the Later Roman Empire and Early Medieval Europe. He received his BA in history and classical civilization from Cornell University. He received his masters and PhD from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.