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 exploration into the rise of unified communities in Lombardy, Italy, between the 6th and 10th centuries. The book begins by painting a portrait of Italy during the Lombard conquest, spotlighting the societal shifts and power dynamics that shaped the region. It talks some about the Lombards themselves, portraying them as both invaders and inhabitants who changed the existing social ladder. Williams examines the struggles of towns in this period, noting how the absence of established civic structures hindered their progress. Against this background of social disruption and political change, the story explores how Lombardy's people developed local independence and communal unity despite external threats.