Part 2: Shield and Sword Under King Clovis I and his successors, the Frankish Empire developed into the leading military power of Central Europe. However, due to Frankish inheritance law, there were repeated divisions and reunifications of the empire, which ultimately led to the decline of the Merovingian dynasty. After the death of King Dagobert I, when the empire was divided among his two minor sons, the increasing influence of the mayors of the palace began to emerge. This second volume provides a detailed description of the shield and sword of the Franks, as well as those of the incorporated Alamanni, Thuringians, and Bavarians. The artistic reconstructions depict Merovingian foot and cavalry warriors from the mid-6th to mid-7th century and are based on numerous preserved finds, many of which are richly adorned.