Lordship, reform, and the development of civil society in medieval Italy: the bishopric of Orvieto, 1100-1250
In his examination of the bishopric Orvieto from 1100 to 1250, David Foote reveals how three defining developments Middle Ages - feudal revolution, ecclesiastical reform, and state building played out in a typical medieval Italian commune. He challenges scholarship that overemphasizes secular nature city-states by showing extent which institutions provided model for formation civic defined commune's political religious culture. Following collapse Carolingian authority tenth century, Italy experienced period chaos. Rural lords, unrestrained central authority, fought dominate countryside. Bishoprics, virtue their temporal spiritual over dioceses, emerged midst this disorder as most effective rebuilding at local level. The Orvietan formed center an urban coalition attempting conquer pacify contado, or surrounding also assisted early city-state administering its territory developing innovative methods written administration record keeping. was often caught between competing actors, who leveraged interests through resources. This interaction had profound effect on city's As Orvietans struggled define norms would govern society, they adapt quest power autonomy values. Foote's deeply researched new book illuminates process stages culture Europe during Ages.
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