Medieval Concepts of the Past: Ritual, Memory, Historiography ed. by Gerd Althoff, Johannes Fried, and Patrick J. Geary
Deanna Forsman
Reviews Gerd althoff, Johannes fried, and Patrick j. Geary, eds, Medieval Concepts of the Past: Ritual, Memory, Historiography. Publications German Historical Institute. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Pp. xi, 353. isbn: 0—52178066 -7. $65. MedievalConceptsofthePastis proceedingofacolloquium on thetheme, 'Image, Historiography: ofthe Past,' held in September of1996 with thegoal ofcultivatingcommunication between andAmerican scholars. To encourage discussion, organizers focused issues common to scholars from both countries, such as use ofritual High politics, confluence oral written testimony legal proceedings rendi century Aquitaine Provence. The editors' introduction provides a concise overview interactions American medieval nineteenth present, tracing exchange ideas through 1920s, divergence ofthemes mid-twentieth century, how during rhe late-twentieth medievalists bodi countries became interested similar issues, but for different reasons. fourteen essays are arranged more or less thematically, topics including examinations function Germany Carolingian political culture (Weinfurter, Bernhardt, Althoff, Bue), procedures (Vollrarh Geary), historians, modern medieval, construct history (Goetz, Schneidmüller, Remensnyder, Schuster, Nirenberg), marriage, family gender studies (Jussen, Freed, Lifshitz). majority articles examine MiddleAges, although some utilizesources France, England, Mediterranean, chronological scope extends early Late Antiquity late Renaissance. Individually, stimulating, engaging, often quite informative. For example, Felice Lifshitz's article examines role ofmatrons emergence martyr cults fourth challenges assumption that cultswere 'natural' developments. She also suggests therewere multiple models ofchurch hierarchyand organization LateAntiquity, addition episcopal model emerged dominant. dialogue StefanWeinfurter, professor ofhistory at ofHeidelberg, John San Jose Sate University, concerning ritual die reign Henry II (1002-1024), demonstrates can benefit sharing their ideas. Although basically agreement, arthuriana 13.3 (2003) 112ARTHURIANA Weinfurter Bernhardt same literary iconographiesources ro nuance our understanding Henry's directions. useofritual asameans determine howhe garneredsupport andconsensus his conception ofrulership. theotherhand, self-image intersects historical memory. As collection, however, mere is no over-arching theme holding together, aside desire foster result, Conceptions Past most useful those who want information particular ropic, Reinforcing impression collection aimed specialists, authors anieles assume audience possesses ready knowledge sources examples employed. may not be familiarwith chroniclerThietmar ofMerseburg Odo ofDeuil, simple footnote locating these men space time would make authors' arguments accessible. It should noted title really only applies one article, Hans-Werner Goetz, argues historians understood conceptofhistorical progression, anachronistically viewed past ofdie present. other articles, subtitle, Memory Historiography pertinent description. will relevant specialize historiography, selection ofessays makes research accessible wider English-speakingmedievalists.Assuch, it fulfillsavaluable increasingdialogue DEANNA FORSMAN Independent Scholar richard barber, ed., KingArthurin Music. Arthurian StudiesVol. 52. Brewer, via, 190. 0-85991-767-3. £45/175. Announced first book devoted subject, this contains nine authoritative essays: Robert Shay, 'Dryden Purcell's KingArthur. Legend Politics Restoration Stage'; Derek Watson, 'Wagner: Tristan undboUU Parsifal...
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