The Politics of Memory and Identity in Carolingian Royal Diplomas: The West Frankish Kingdom (840–987) by Geoffrey Koziol
Stephanie L. Hathaway
Reviewed by: The Politics of Memory and Identity in Carolingian Royal Diplomas: West Frankish Kingdom (840–987) by Geoffrey Koziol Stephanie L. Hathaway Koziol, Geoffrey, (Utrecht Studies Medieval Literacy, 19), Turnhout, Brepols, 2012; hardback; pp. 680; 10 b/w illustrations; R.R.P. €100.00; ISBN 9782503535951. At a time when scholars are redefining the way historiography treats Middle Ages, Koziol’s dense volume follows along traditions historians such as Janet Nelson Chris Wickham addressing some complex questions surrounding drafting, function, implications diplomas politics dynasty. Covering from death Louis Pious to reign his last descendants, succeeded Hugh Capet, frame this book spans almost two hundred years during which political power play dominated policy-making kingdom. Perhaps same referred archaeologists being able see more clearly sharper changes history, equates ‘semantic excavation’ (p. 3), examining royal representations presence ideologies performance – public memorial alteration regime its alliances. is organized parts, first consisting seven chapters devoted ‘performative’ aspects major events: accessions, successions, conveyances, alliances dynasty, fencing with issues forgery tenth-century monastic reform. uses chapter lay down framework for views he puts forward throughout book: ways that have been analysed how will treat them here ‘the medium past were remembered redeployed present purposes’ 15). [End Page 252] That conclusions might seem bold, author well aware, and, indeed, challenges at every opening charters different perspective than has established. engages topics study charters, ritual, memory, lineage, establishment legitimacy, touching on diplomatics. In ‘Politics Palace’, view decline number after Charles Bald was result less writing or loss authority. More convincing argument reformers churches refashioned their reception, order physical evidence previously granted titles. treatment smoothly topic reform, but precarious within author’s Germanic-ness culture: expression triuwe relation medieval idea truth fidelity. It remains unclear whether asserting understanding German scholarship if again wishes forge new perspectives politics. second part, Chapters 8–10 an elided epilogue, attempts derive image individuals personalities, applying theory lives reigns Simple Robert Nuestria. Several discussions surround these figures, including proposals term ‘simple’ used describe Judgement Soissons, Robert’s personal intentions principles be seen attempt justify military actions only surviving diploma, vexilla Saint-Denis. drawn together agreeably discussion Charles’s relations church Saint-Corneille, burial kings Compiègne, Capet’s council bishops there. Though covered disparate, does discussing under theme objects play. However, despite assertion passing details important diplomas...
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