Corruption, Protection and Justice in Medieval Europe
Jonathan R. Lyon
What was an “advocate” (Latin: advocatus; German: Vogt) in the Middle Ages? responsibilities came with position and how did they change over time? With this groundbreaking study, Jonathan R. Lyon challenges standard narrative of a “medieval” Europe feudalism lordship being replaced by “modern” government, bureaucracy state. By focusing on advocate, he argues for continuity corrupt practices justice protection between 750 1800. This book traces development role church advocate from Carolingian period onward explains why became associated violent abuse power churches' estates. When other types advocates common around Germany after 1250, including territorial urban advocates, were not officeholders developing bureaucracies. Instead, used similar to profit illicitly their positions, which calls into question scholarly arguments about decline rise governmental accountability European history.