A papal matchmaker: Principle and pragmatism during Innocent III's pontificate
Constance M. Rousseau
Scholars have yet to recognize the complexity of match-making policies Innocent III (1198–1216) concerning proposed marriages for Otto Brunswick, Frederick Sicily, and Elena Gallura. This article analyzes five marriage projects whereby used a mixture canonical principle pragmatism further not only welfare his protégés, wards kin but also advance interests Church maintain peaceful civilized world. It argues that in these where practical pastoral often intersected, sometimes politics canon law circumscribed extent papal power; nevertheless, some degree utilized flexibility as political instrument when this was possible. Yet, while were an important consideration pope's marital strategies, he took advantage elasticity law, pope continued act within set moral principles. Thus, ultimately governed decisions, which would transgress gain alone.
Journal of Medieval History