&lt;i&gt;Peaceful Kings: Peace, Power and the Early Medieval Political Imagination&lt;/i&gt; (review)
David Griffiths
Reviewed by: Peaceful Kings: Peace, Power and the Early Medieval Political Imagination David James Griffiths Kershaw, Paul, Imagination, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2011; hardback; pp. 336; R.R.P. £65.00; ISBN 9780198208709. Paul Kershaw’s fairly sprawling analysis attempts to seek out illuminate uses of peace in construction kingship regal authority across early medieval West, cementing relationship between ruler ruled through promise stability surety with king acting as both peacemaker peacekeeper. He opens an Introduction that highlights specific narrative analytical arcs frames scope his study, using episodes from Carolingian division 800s Beowulf make real some particular tropes he wishes identify. Although book is finely researched well written, assumptions regarding audience knowledge its structure are already apparent Introduction, which splits itself into various subheadings, each subsection forming a site analysis, focused on given text, year, example construction, but little connective tissue next. In sense, not strong it could have been; examples overwhelm reader lack context concrete consideration theoretical framework Kershaw attempting create. Each chapter deals context, again split up by subheading subsection, again, this assortment separate textual historical analyses adds less than sum parts. This say individual good, or anything other interesting. But first alone, jumps Bede’s depiction Edwin Solomonic king, obliteration pagan associations rule Christianization Rome’s ceremonial geography, adoption those Roman ideals scant form Augustinian awareness potential rejection them, shaping Vulgate associated commentary, liturgical prayers state peaceful outside Pax Romana. The subsections interesting idea two, useful point note, clear their detailed use text commentary. ride roller coaster one, entirely what overall conceptual is. approach seems be hope can throw ‘peace’ at edifice enough times stick – certainly sticks stays there, larger point? What meaning all? [End Page 223] subsequent chapters draw arc: traditions after fall Empire constructions wise, peacekeeping age Charlemagne, leaders explicitly compared Solomon terms they brought, these courts circles Anglo-Saxon England. has origins PhD thesis, perhaps hints epigrammatic nature evidence reads like wonderful assemblage association ‘kingship’ West. Considering trajectory heap post-Roman kingdoms, besieged internal strife, kin disputes, encroaching existential concern posed Islam, ways Christianity Papacy situated themselves world, desire see good involving inconceivable. Indeed, common given, based wealth picks through. does seem go beyond present coherent connected example...
Parergon