The archaeological picture is actually a lot more complex than this article suggests, with strong evidence of large 'factories' around Europe, even in Britain,

The archaeological picture is actually a lot more complex than this article suggests, with strong evidence of large 'factories' around Europe, even in Britain, feeding extensive trading networks. No coins for 300 years? Sutton Hoo (early 7th century) contained coins from 37 different Frankish mints! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_Hoo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_Hoo I recommend Barbarians to Angels for a good archaeology-based look at the Dark Ages, even if it does strain a little too far to paint a sunny picture: http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9780393060751-2 http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9780393060751-2