Kingship: The Politics of Enchantment (review)
Joseph Canning
Reviewed by Joseph Canning University of Wales Kingship: The Politics Enchantment. By Francis Oakley. (Malden, Massa-chusetts: Blackwell Publishing. 2006. Pp. xiv, 193. $34.95.) This is an ambitious undertaking which considers kingship as a form government over period five thousand years. Of necessity, it follows comparative approach ranging cultures in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Professor Oakley starts from assumption that, historically, its various forms most common human government. For him part "political commonsense mankind." He rejects any notion that modern secular concepts are norm for political discourse study monarchy has to be justified proper subject enquiry. Monarchy he sees wisdom ages mankind. book ranges all major topics significant periods. It begins with survey archaic patterns then seminal contributions Hellenistic, Biblical, Roman, Islamic conceptions. main strength lies treatment Christian rulership. Emphasis given, where must be, Eusebian accommodation ideas Roman imperial conceptions Carolingian combination notions Germanic kingship. at his best dealing high late Middle Ages into early period. ends tracing overall decline admittedly tenacious institution At core interplay sacral elements kingship, following complicated process decay partial reappearance religious elements. Two moments stand out: downgrading kings status laymen eleventh-century papal reform movement paradoxical reassertion coronation service Queen Elizabeth II England. Overall, general trend secularism Max Weber's "disenchantment world." Considerable attention given ways people sought explain understand enduring acute appreciation Hegel's view philosophical understanding historical phenomenon comes end process—too late: "The owl Minerva spreads wings only falling dusk." As regards method, unrepentant disagreement many approaches happy argue anthropological models without firm evidence. [End Page 882] So, what value this book? doubt useful informative theme: huge condensed short space. juxtaposition so much diverse material certainly thought-provoking demands changes perspectives. notes helpful, bibliography providing guidelines further reading. question remains reader's mind whether there new book. But anyone interested should read it.
Catholic Historical Review