Taking Measure: Papal Letters Sent from Rome to Northern Europe, c. 600–c. 700
Between 600 and 700, the pope at Rome sent many letters to kings, queens, aristocrats, and members of the clergy in northern Europe. But he didn’t send the same number every month. This graph shows that papal communications were never sent in January and February, whereas their numbers peaked in June and July. The explanation? Very likely the popes had to wait for fine sailing weather to get their letters to their destination, since land routes were too uncertain.
Source: Adapted from Michael McCormick, Origins of the European Economy: Communications and Commerce, AD 300–900 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), chart 3.1, 80.
Question to Consider
How might the seasonal limitations on communication have affected the relationship between the pope and his church?