Europe was littered with kingdoms, empires, duchies and republics many of which have now disappeared. Most are forgotten: some may linger on in distant memories of, say, pre-Bismarck 'Germania' or pre-Roman Italy. But who remembers Tolosa, Alt Clud, Sabaudia and Tsernagora? Eminent historian, Norman Davies, reminds us that our understanding of European history in terms of present-day countries can only be imperfect if we forget their fissiparous past existences. Altogether, an enchanting and romantic read.
(Jeremy Miller - bwl 92 Spring 2019 ) |
