Thietmar of Merseburg on Rituals of Kingship
David A. Warner
"Thietmar of Merseburg on Rituals Kingship." This study confronts a longstanding tendency to interpret the rituals Ottonian kings exclusively as means represent theories monarchy and treat them manifestations coherent system. Expanding research pertaining rites submission or surrender, Warner argues that views subject ritual were not systematic they sometimes appear be in modern studies kingship encompassed variety purposes messages. Since perception was important form content ritual, accounts ceremonial occasions could manipulated support an argument. For example, examination Thietmar's chronicle suggests level detail interpretation accorded specific moment commonly depended own prejudices antipathies. Hence, such instances say much about Thietmar do kingship, government, character ritual. Given degree which image rulership relies chronicle, emphasizes need recognize chronicle's author no dispassionate observer history but rather man affairs with distinct point view pragmatic interests.
Viator