Merovingians in the 5th/6th century

[Flavivs Aetivs]

I heavily agree with you regarding Osprey, as some of their "choices" are better than others in terms of what they assign to what era.

Cloisonne first appears in Hunno-Persian blades, and that's not so much Cloisonne as it is Inlaid Garnets and other gems. In the 5th century, the first true Cloisonne blade is a Gold Hilt Spatha (which began to appear about the early 5th century) found at Pouan, in France, often associated with the Battle of Chalons. I highly doubt it was from Chalons, but the possibility that it was a link between Hunnic and Frankish Cloisonne is possible.

You are right in that fashion components can change in just 100 years. Look at Roman belts - going from the wierd loop belts like the ones at Dura Europos, to Propeller Stiffeners in only 125 years. My Late Roman Belt dates to the early 5th century, and my impression is mid-5th century.

As for Merovingian Frankish, we don't have descriptions or depictions in the 5th century (for the most part.) We do have finds though of Franko-Alemannic Brooches, and other gave goods, that help us build this understanding. The Kemathen Warrior, dating to the Early 5th century, was an Alemann but his appearance was probably similar to many Franks or Burgundians at the time.

I guess what I"m trying to say is, you're right that the Osprey Images garble things together, like Jordanes.