Walking in the Shadows of the Past: The Jewish Experience of Rome in the Twelfth Century
During this pivotal century and within the special microcosm of Rome, Jews and Christians experienced unusually robust cultural and social interactions, especially as the Jews increasingly aligned themselves with the protective power of the papacy.
Martinus Polonus’ Chronicle of the Popes and Emperors: a Medieval Best-seller and its Neglected Influence on Medieval English Chronicler
In so doing I should like to begin by giving a brief account of Martin’s life and of the structure and contents of his chronicle before examining how widely known it was in late medieval England. Then we will turn to the various ways in which it was ‘adapted’, i.e. translated and extended by continuations. Finally, particular emphasis will be given to Martins hitherto neglected influence on a number of English medieval chroniclers.
Sacred Conquest and Ecclesiastical Politics: The Normans and the Church in the Eleventh Century
The Normans’ success hinged upon their ability to appear as divinely appointed rulers who served, protected, and guided the Church in the countries they held. They derived authority from the Church, and they also exercised authority over it.
Süleyman the Magnificent and the Representation of Power in the Context of Ottoman-Hapsburg-Papal Rivalry
This article explores issues of cross-cultural communication raised by the Ottoman court’s intense patronage of European artistic talent during the early part of Suleyman the Magnificent’s reign (1520-1566).
The medieval crossbow as surgical instrument: an illustrated case history
The crossbow could be carried loaded,required little training or strength,and propelled its quarrel or bolt with frightening accuracy and force for eighty yards on direct aim and double or triple that on extreme range.
The Myth of Parisian Scholars’ Opposition to the System of Papal Provision (1378–1418)
It is clear, however, that Parisian scholars did repeatedly and vehe- mently call for the suppression of Benedict XIII’s powers of papal provision. They advocated this policy as early as 1395.
Retroactive Heresy: The influence of early Christian heresies on the identification and reaction to heretical sects
The medieval Church viewed itself as Defender of the Faith, the destroyer of the unbelievers, the wrong believers. These heretics were to be reviled and feared as perverters of God’s word. The perverters of orthodoxy were, ultimately, not to be distinguished from one another, but rather known by catchphrases.
The Place of the Papacy in the Ecclesial Piety of the 11th-century Reformers
In the tenth century, it was still the Ecclesia rather than the pope which constituted the fundamental reality. The men of the Gregorian reform, in contrast, saw the Church as dependent upon the pope and derived in some way from papal power.
Corruption and Controversy: Simony, lay investiture, and clerical marriage and celibacy in the Catholic Church during the eleventh and twelfth centuries
Three major problems faced the Western church during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Simony, lay investiture, and clerical marriage and celibacy all affected the church. They placed unnecessary power in the hands of lay rulers. They corrupted the office of the papacy to a degree. They also caused controversy throughout the church.
Popes, Bishops, Deacons, and Priests: Church Leadership in the Middle Ages
The purpose of this paper is to survey the growth of the church offices, in particular the papacy, from their biblical foundations, through to the end of the Middle Ages.
Book Review: Pope Joan, by Lawrence Durrell
Once I got past all the unnecessary narrative, this book read like a script from a ‘Carry On’ movie: a titillating tale of lusty desires and ambition set against a religious backdrop, and heavily cloaked in the guarded innuendo of the time.
The monastic response to Papal reform: Summi Magistri and it reception
This is a question which has dogged the history of the interaction between Rome and the Black monks, and it brings a second question in its wake – what were the medieval Popes trying to do with monasticism?
Theocratic Centralism: The Politics of Boniface VIII during the Thirteenth Century
This paper intends to outline how Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303), in his struggle with King Philip IV le Bel of France (1268-1314), had an ultimate objective to create a theocratic government under which all other nations existed, essentially creating a Christian nation without borders
Hincmar and Anastasius: Lying, Treacherous Villains
Did Anastasius help kidnap and murder the wife and daughter of Pope Adrian II?
Sanctified Sex: How Familial Support of the Rule of the Church Turned the Marriage Ceremony into a Religious Rite
During the twelfth and thirteenth century, northern France underwent a subtle but dramatic change in its social power structure: the regulation of marriage fell under the power of the Church
At Arm’s Length? On Papal Legates in Normandy (11th and 12th centuries)
At Arm’s Length? On Papal Legates in Normandy (11th and 12th centuries) By Kriston Rennie Revue d’Histoire Ecclesiastique, Vol.105:2 (2010) Abstract: For the…
The Friar of Carcassonne
The Friar of Carcassonne: Revolt against the Inquisition in the Last Days of the Cathars By Stephen O’Shea Douglas and McIntyre, 2011 ISBN…
“In the Name of Almighty God”: Gregory VII and the Investiture Controversy
The Investiture Controversy was a conflict between Pope Gregory VII and the German King Henry IV over who had the right to appoint church officials in the Catholic Church.
Was there a Gregorian Reform Movement in the Eleventh Century?
Was there a Gregorian Reform Movement in the Eleventh Century? Gilchrist, John CCHA Study Sessions, 37(1970) Abstract If movements were simply a matter…
Image of the other as a tool of political legitimation: image of Venice in Renaissance Ragusa
Image of the other as a tool of political legitimation: image of Venice in Renaissance Ragusa Kuncevic, Lovro (Central European University; Institute for Historical…
The “Greek” project of the Order of St. John
The “Greek” project of the Order of St. John By Vladislav Ivanov Paper given at the 22nd International Congress of Byzantine Studies (2011)…
The Hungarian Military in Northern Italy during the Reign of Louis the Great
The Hungarian Military in Northern Italy during the Reign of Louis the Great Corradi Musi, Carla Hungarian Studies Review, Vol XVII, No. 2 (Fall,…
Birgitta of Sweden and the Divine Mysteries of Motherhood
Birgitta of Sweden and the Divine Mysteries of Motherhood Stjerna, Kirsi Feminist Forum, 24, no. 1 (1997) Abstract St. Birgitta of Sweden is…