ROLE OF SAINTED QUEENS IN THE PATRONAGE SYSTEM OF THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES
The article deals with interaction of the religious and socio-political content of the role of sainted queens in the patronage system of early medieval Europe. The author believes that spouses of the rulers occupied an important place in social and political practice in the VI-VII centuries. Patronage, i.e. protection, was one of the most significant functions of sainted queens in the society. In turn, through the structures of patronage noble and influential women of that era were included in the system of power organization.