Peaceful Kings: Peace, Power, and the Early Medieval Political Imagination, by Paul J. E. Kershaw
Scott G. Bruce
Peaceful Kings: Peace, Power, and the Early Medieval Political Imagination, by Paul J. E. Kershaw. Oxford, UK, Oxford University Press, 2011. xviii, 313 pp. $120.00 US (cloth). In Wim Wenders' haunting film, Der Himmel uber Berlin (1987), an old man who personifies ancient Greek poet Homer ruminates on topic of peace in human history, while leafing through a copy August Sander's book photographs, Menschen des 20. Jahrhunderts, Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin. He laments that no has ever succeeded singing epic peace: Was ist denn am Frieden dass es nicht auf die Dauer begeistert und sich von ihm kaum erzahlen lasst? [What is wrong with its inspiration does not endure it almost untellable?] This sentiment particularly appropriate for early Middle Ages. Kershaw's first comprehensive study theme imagination court advisors, imperial biographers, royal panegyrists formulated promoted ideals Christian rulership period between end western Roman Empire late fifth century waning Carolingian authority at close ninth century. argues forcefully peaceful kingship was pervasive political discourse throughout Moreover, demonstrates clearly this drew upon centuries-old lexicon literary models from antiquity Hebrew scriptures, most notably examples provided King David his son Solomon. But do always translate into practice. respect, well-researched falls short mark sets itself. catalogues many references to as res regia business king) period, but there attempt reconcile prevalent ideal equally abundant evidence primary activity medieval rulers warfare. Looming behind larger, unanswered question: given persistence attribute idealized Ages, why did tenable reality? The scope admirably broad. introduction lays out premise thinkers linked power explored connection different genres, poetry historical annals treaties, wide range personal purposes. Chapter One looks definitions sources (the Latin pax vernacular equivalents) ranges widely Northumbria, where Bede defined Edwin's reign terms freedom robbery, rape, or violence [and] security travel will (p. 31), Rome Constantinople, notion Romana endured monuments like Ara Pacis Church Hagia Eirene, prayers preserved Old Gelasian Mass. Ultimately, biblical Hezekiah, Solomon, Christ whom authors would turn when they described qualities their kings. Two surveys use vocabularies barbarian Vandal North Africa, Gibichung Burgundy, Ostrogothic Italy, Visigothic Spain, Merovingian Francia, digression notions found works Pope Gregory Great. …
Canadian journal of history