Rulers and Rulership in the Arc of Medieval Europe, 1000-1200

Rulers and Rulership in the Arc of Medieval Europe challenges the dominant paradigm of rulership by decentering the narrative and providing a broad swath of examples from throughout medieval Europe. It overturns the prevalent idea of monarchy and kingship in favor of a broad definition of rulership, demonstrating that the way in which medieval Europe has been constructed is incorrect. It requires engagement from medievalists, Byzantinists, and Slavists to best understand it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Rulers and Rulership in the Arc of Medieval Europe is a groundbreaking work that challenges the dominant paradigm of what rulership is and who rulers are by decentering the narrative and providing a broad swath of examples from throughout medieval Europe. Within this territory, the prevalent idea of monarchy and kingship is overturned in favor of a broad definition of rulership. This book will demonstrate to the reader that the way in which medieval Europe has been constructed in both the popular and scholarly imaginations is incorrect. Instead of a king, we have multiple rulers, male and female, ruling concurrently. Instead of an independent church or a church striving for supremacy under the Gregorian Reform, we have a pope and ecclesiastical leaders making deals with secular rulers, and an in-depth interconnection between the two. Finally, instead of a strong centralizing polity growing into statehood, we see weak rulers working hand in glove with weak subordinates to make the polity as a whole function.

Medievalists, Byzantinists, and Slavists typically operate in isolation from one another. They do not read each other's books or engage with each other's work. This book requires engagement from all of them to point out that the medieval Europe that they work in is one and the same and demands collaboration to best understand it.

The book also challenges the notion that medieval Europe was a period of chaos and violence. Instead, it argues that medieval Europe was a complex and dynamic society that was characterized by a variety of different political, social, and economic systems. The book provides a detailed account of these systems, including feudalism, manorialism, and the church. It also explores the role of women in medieval Europe, which was often marginalized and underrepresented.

One of the key themes of the book is the idea of rulership and the ways in which it was exercised in medieval Europe. The book argues that rulership was not just a matter of power and authority, but also of legitimacy and legitimacy. Rulers needed to be able to demonstrate that they were acting in the interests of their subjects and that they had the support of their community. This was often achieved through a combination of political, religious, and social power.

Another key theme of the book is the idea of collaboration and cooperation between different groups and individuals in medieval Europe. The book argues that medieval Europe was not a fragmented and divided society, but rather a complex and interconnected one. Different groups and individuals were able to work together to achieve common goals and overcome challenges. This was often achieved through a combination of political, economic, and social power.

The book also explores the role of religion in medieval Europe. The book argues that religion was not just a matter of faith and belief, but also a powerful tool for political and social control. Rulers used religion to justify their actions and to maintain their legitimacy. The church also played a significant role in shaping medieval European society, providing education, healthcare, and social services to its members.

In conclusion, Rulers and Rulership in the Arc of Medieval Europe is a groundbreaking work that challenges the dominant paradigm of what rulership is and who rulers are by decentering the narrative and providing a broad swath of examples from throughout medieval Europe. The book provides a detailed account of the political, social, and economic systems that characterized medieval Europe, as well as the role of women, collaboration, and religion in shaping medieval European society. The book also challenges the notion that medieval Europe was a period of chaos and violence, arguing instead that it was a complex and dynamic society that was characterized by a variety of different political, social, and economic systems. The book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of medieval history, as well as anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating period of history.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032482897