Open from April 15th to September 30th 2023
The banner represents a bear: According to Frederick, a chronicler of the sixth century, the Frankish kings are descended from Meroveius - hence the name Merovingians - himself born of a woman and a monster from the sea, described as a "quinotaur" (a horned monster). So there are many nobles in medieval Europe who claim to have animal blood in their veins. But the bear takes the lion's share. It is enough to look at the number of first names that derive directly from the bear. Certainly, today we meet less Ursula, Ursuline, Ursus (Latin root ursus). But Bertrand and Bernard (Saxon root bear) remain very frequent and are in the Middle Ages aristocratic, even princely names.
Historical note on the period
We are now in the Merovingian period; after the onslaught of the invading hordes from the east, Attila is defeated at the Catalaunian Fields, the dynasty finds the origin of its name with Merovius, he was born around 412 and died in July 457, he is considered the second king of the Salian Franks. His existence is surrounded by so much obscurity that some historians have made him a legendary king. He reigned from 448 to 457. Meroveius gave his name to the Merovingian dynasty. But let's remember Clovis in Latin Chlodovechus, this king converted to Catholicism, was born in Tournai around 466 and made Paris the capital. He was king of the Salian Franks, then king of all the Franks from 481 to 511, he died in Paris on November 27, 511.
Prpresentation of habitats: We notice that the habitat returns to wood and earth constructions, which resemble those of the Gaulish village. The interior is below the ground to gain space and protect from the cold. There are benches in almost every house.
The Big House: Great similarity with the Gaulish habitats with the use of rough barked wood, thatch and cob. The only changes are the presence of two doors and windows equipped with shutters. There could have been the presence of animals inside.
Workshops: The Merovingians are very good craftsmen, you can discover several different workshops: glass beads, jewelry, tablettery (bone work, comb), potter.
The Forge: a workshop always very important in the life of the village and the armament. The blacksmith was the richest craftsman in the village. The forge was equipped with a fireplace and two bellows. As a symbol of his wealth there was a window and the roof is made of larch shingles.
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