Itinerant Kingship and Royal Monasteries in Early Medieval Germany, c. 936-1075 by John W. Bernhardt
Janet L. Nelson
642BOOK REVIEWS works were cited by Vogel over the years. However, even with an overview of whole index and considerable background knowledge, use can be frustrating misleading. This is a welcome, valuable collection. I hope its value not negated price. Pierre J. Payer Mount Saint Vincent University Halifax, Nova Scotia Itinerant Kingship Royal Monasteries in Early Medieval Germany, c 936-1075. By John W. Bernhardt. [Cambridge Studies Life Thought, fourth series, 21.] (New York: Cambridge Press. 1993. Pp. xix, 376. »6995.) Ottoman Saltan power was no foregone conclusion. Where recent studies tenth eleventh centuries have emphasized German monarchy's ideological strength reliance on episcopal support,John Bernhardt's prime focus painstaking construction maintenance royal through control ofmonasteries. And since monastic life, unlike episcopacy, never has been for men only, Bernhardt reveals (without quite accenting) immense contribution ofwomen to working monarchy. Itinerancy as method government imposes own requirements. Before they staged representations monarchy, sacral kings (and queens?) needed bed breakfast. Though does side-line ideology, he puts center-field management economic military resources. His book, drawing discriminatingly vast historiography largely German, will welcome empiricists, least anglophone students, exponents conceptual history. Its organization rock-solid: three chapters kingdom's political, ideological, structures; four regional casestudies . What did monasteries do monarchy? Rather than attempting legalistic formula, maps relationship onto political contours ofthe realm. situated base-zones ofroyal power, but, still more often, regions transit between those zones (excellent demonstrate this), therefore "militarily politically strategic," which definition few lands located. First foremost, servitium meant hospitality. Using methodology developed E. Müller-Mertens, supplemented where possible archaeological evidence, show that number stays at certain major monasteries, Quedlinburg, Hersfeld, Fulda, instance, much greater hitherto thought. A further kind service, selectively required, military, performed warriors endowed lands. argues persuasively that, following Carolingian precedents, property BOOK REVIEWS643 divided abbot/abbess community fell only abbatial portion. But abbots/abbesses often driven demands encroach conventual The monarchs inherited from Empire, tenth-century east similar lines ninth-century west. Henry II, like rulers, aimed twin goals better conduct improved because both served emphasis here corrective misconception entertained some modern historians (though ecclesiastical managers) religious reform efficient financial arrangements are somehow mutually exclusive. For king, brought increased benefits spiritual alike. themselves, though, tensions resulted. might recoup recovering alienated local nobility. Vocal criticism could ensue. Responsible public services ofproperty support them, suspected almost ex officio ofliability "diabolic presumption," he/she faced dilemmas original Benedict foresaw. kings' merely benign inheritance; nor it forced upon them sheer size structure oftheir itwas option deliberately chosen carefully worked themselves. They chose wisely. Especially important Saxony active women, patrons donors land endowment personnel When Otto founded Quedlinburg 936 fortress burial-site his father, granted ten wagons wine forty large buckets honey year: canonesses would wherewithal offer breakfasts aplenty seventeen halts and...
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