Peaceful Kings
Paul Kershaw
In Rome on Christmas Day 800 Charlemagne, the Frankish king, was acclaimed ‘most August, crowned by God, great and peacemaking emperor’. This event transformed nature of his rule, marked re‐emergence ideas empire in early medieval West, changed history western monarchy. But why Charlemagne as a emperor? How had peace come to be seen central component European rulership? Drawing upon wealth contemporary sources, this study explores image peaceful rulership Europe from earliest phase post‐Roman polities – Vandal Africa, Gibichung Burgundy, Ostrogothic Italy Carolingian Anglo‐Saxon worlds. From poems celebrating baths that evoked Stoic concepts cosmic order seventh‐century Visigothic poetry Irish theorizing ideal ruler, book offers comprehensive vision how relationship between kingship explored through poetry, political thought, ritual, writing across Middle Ages. Peace emerges these centuries concern for kings emperors, their celebrants, critics, advisors. It no less an issue those whom they ruled. prayers safe travel blessings new houses pilgrim accounts praising surprising security ninth‐century Egypt's roads, asks what meant people, collective expectations royal intentions met. is first full scholarly exploration idea Europe's formative centuries, setting shifting terms historical, political, cultural context. process it insights reception late antique thought imagery earlier Ages, range distinctiveness intellectual vitality period AD 500 900.