François Louis Ganshof (14 March 1895, Bruges – 26 July 1980, Brussels) was a Belgian medievalist. After studies at the Athénée Royal, he attended the University of Ghent, where he came under the influence of Henri Pirenne. After studies with Ferdinand Lot, he practiced law for a period, before returning to the University of Ghent. Here he succeeded Pirenne in 1930 as professor of medieval history, after Pirenne left the university as a result of the enforcement of Dutch as language of instruction. He remained there until his retirement in 1961.
Ganshof's work was primarily on Flanders in the Carolingian period. His best known book is Qu'est-ce que la féodalité? (1944). Here he defines feudalism narrowly, in simple legal and military terms. Feudalism, in Ganshof's view, existed only within the nobility. This contrasts with Marc Bloch, where feudalism encompasses society as a whole, and Susan Reynolds, who questions the concept of feudalism in itself.
Though Ganshof's definition is not always accepted today, this book was not his only work. He contributed greatly to his field, mostly through articles. Among the few books he published were Les Destinées de l'Empire en occident de 395 à 888 (1928) and Flandre sous les premiers comtes (1943). In 1946 he received the Francqui Prize for Human Sciences.
Ganshof was renowned as the greatest European expert on the Frankish kingdoms, particularly under the Carolingian dynasty; he never wrote the definitive biography of Charlemagne that everyone expected of him, but his contributions to Frankish history continue to be fundamental. The best English-language introduction to this (very major) aspect of his work is in F.L. Ganshof, The Carolingians and the Frankish Monarchy. Studies in Carolingian History, tr. Janet Sondheimer . This collection of major articles ends with an exhaustive bibliography of Ganshof's writings on Merovingian and Carolingian history down to 1970.
Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.
Some of their strengths
François-Louis Ganshof has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Imaginative, Energetic, Creative, Kind, Intense, Passionate, and Adventurous.
Soulful and Understanding
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, François-Louis Ganshof is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who seems to identify with family, heritage and ancestry.
Constant and Serious
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know François-Louis Ganshof well know them as someone who can be determined, unmoving, and firm, like a rock or a high mountain.
Ambitious and Forceful
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe François-Louis Ganshof as someone who is ambitious, hard-working, determined, and intelligent.
A person who has a knack for identifying opportunities, has amazing concentration and focus, who can work independently, who likes starting new things, and who is somewhat of an intellectual.
Influential and Dynamic
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, François-Louis Ganshof is someone who tends to be focused on spreading ideas, information, and activities.
They are also someone who is curious, dynamic, and positive, and who enjoys inspiring and communicating with other people.
Creative and Imaginative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, François-Louis Ganshof tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.
Some of François-Louis Ganshof's challenges
While François-Louis Ganshof has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, François-Louis Ganshof can be Indecisive, Unrealistic, Complicated, Brusque, Impulsive, Careless, and Relentless.
Indecisive and Unrealistic
One of François-Louis Ganshof's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.
François-Louis Ganshof must also exercise caution as they can be excessive and unrealistic.
Relentless and Inflexible
François-Louis Ganshof is someone who can be relentless, obsessive, and inflexible, who can be confrontational with work colleagues, can have difficulty communicating feelings and be somewhat reclusive, and who can be self-destructive, overindulgent, and extravagant.
Lethargic and Unrealistic
Finally, François-Louis Ganshof also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.
