Codex Epistolaris Carolinus: Letters from the Popes to the Frankish Rulers, 739–791
Sam G. Collins
Reviewed by: Codex Epistolaris Carolinus: Letters from the Popes to Frankish Rulers, 739–791 Sam Collins 739–791. Translation, introduction, and notes by Rosamond McKitterick, Dorine van Espelo, Richard Pollard, Price. (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press. 2021. Pp. xi, 546. £125. ISBN: 9781800348714). The tools for teaching Carolingian age new generations of students proliferate apace. Paul Dutton’s sourcebook (2nd edition, 2004) stands at head this class, alongside four royal biographies translated Thomas Noble (2009), but these are start array high-quality translations [End Page 179] sources now available. Given range material available in recent translation, essential early medieval moment positioned study period a depth that was hardly imaginable even few decades ago. To formidable arsenal accessible Carolingiana comes very welcome all respects definitive translation Carolinus, latest it-eration series “Translated Texts Historians” Between 739 791 popes sent just shy hundred letters on matters great small rulers kingdom, Charles Martel Charlemagne. Surviving single manuscript copy ninth century, as its contemporary preface tells us, stemmed an initiative Charlemagne collect preserve his family Roman see. subjects offer rich varied often right heart key issues dynasty papacy, both rapid intertwined change development. In Carolinus we treated glimpses mayors inching toward coup against Merovingians, negotiations over how handle shifting balance power Italy Lombards Franks, armature Old Testament ruler ideology making, canon law avant la lettre, much more. Until have been best known scholars through problematic 1892 edition Wilhelm Gundlach MGH. Of editorial decisions made unsatisfactory Gundlach’s adherence nineteenth-century instinct rearrange order into (purportedly) strict chronological sequence, well banishing lemmata, often-dis-cursive explanatory titles given each letter compilers text. use is encounter document with logic removed or hidden. All thankfully swept away here, readers text it appears intended be read. This first complete English letters, important service field make them so easily accessibly Four introductory sections precede translation. After general introduction (Part I, pp. 1–15), individual set compilation context. Espelo II, 16–79) considers eighth century went about business diplomatic correspondence, tradition which should lemmata. Pollard Price explore collection’s Latinitiy Part Three (pp. 80–101). 102–140) McKitterick breaks ground her chapter Franks eighth-century what role papal correspondence had play interdependence their supporters. There crisp letter, also provided helpful send parallel elsewhere collection further scholarship interest. An appendix 437–454) tracks down 180] names biographical detail individuals while glossary 463–468) assists newcomers some collection...
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