William Klapp Williams
The Communes of Lombardy from the VI. to the X. Century
An Investigation of the Causes Which Led to the Development of Municipal Unity Among the Lombard Communes.
"The Communes of Lombardy from the VI. to the X. Century" by William Klapp Williams is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book investigates the causes that led to the development of municipal unity among the Lombard communes during a transformative period in Northern Italy's history. It delves into the Lombard conquest and the subsequent socio-political changes that facilitated the emergence of local independence and communal organization. At the start of the work, the author outlines the historic context of Lombard conquest, describing the conditions of land and people in Italy amid a turbulent time of transition. Williams emphasizes the dual nature of the Lombards as both conquerors and settlers, with a focus on their military organization and the resultant social hierarchy. He details the impoverished state of existing towns post-conquest, highlighting a lack of civic structure and the complicated relationships between various classes of society. The opening sets the stage for an exploration of how local populations, despite their vulnerability, began to navigate this new landscape, ultimately leading to a burgeoning sense of municipal identity and independence amidst external pressures.