Politics and documentary culture : the bishops of north-western Italy during the post-Carolingian period (c. 888-962)
Michele Baitieri
This thesis undertakes an extensive study of the early medieval documentation extant for northern Italy in order to show how period c. 888-962 represented a turning point engagement bishops region with politics, both at high and local level. Scholarship on Kingdom has often neglected post-Carolingian misrepresented this phase as time chaos after collapse Carolingian Empire or mere prelude central Middle Ages when Italian communes were born. Only last few decades history been addressed its own right.
These studies have argued that did not represent Peninsula, but it was rather characterised by gradual transformation social relations. Structures power, behaviour elites economic organization, all strong continuity period, whilst subsequent localization power (during twelfth century) caused Empire; instead ‘natural’ evolution long term.
However, present shows focusing especially graphic features is possible appreciate same actually politics. Milan, Novara, Bergamo Vercelli chosen four case owing relatively rich documentary material those dioceses. Part I spilt chapters, one each dioceses selected studies, focuses episcopal diplomas. Each chapter first provides detailed overview diocese discussed well archival history, then tackles diplomas it. While showing these charters typology their right, section also stresses textual documents enable grasp enhancement political emergence specific representation role during period. Moreover, demonstrates can help shed new light further issues, namely level education clergy debated existence organised chanceries.
Part II divided two Chapters, dealing respectively sovereign exchange. Chapter 5 issued favour churches. In agreement recent scholarship, does see sign alleged onset lordship, which supposedly saw asserting control over cities detriment representative public authority. Nevertheless, here analysis allows how, starting form ninth century, times actual instruments conceived written members entourage. 
Finally, 6 politics ways they role. Textual exchange successfully asserted pivotal least from patrimonial view. As revealed exchange, prelates established tighter administration ecclesiastical institutions pertaining 
Overall importance uncover The appreciation so far little-studied enables work stress action 888-962. Furthermore, resulted shift time. During tenth century reveal no longer shared responsibility bishop diocesan clergy, domain alone.