The Slaves of the Churches
Alessandro Stanziani
This ambitious book discusses the attitudes that “the Churches” (almost always identified with pre-reform Catholic Church) had vis à slaves and slavery from New Testament era to early modern times. In introduction, Sommar warns lack of records about social practices forces her study focus on church norms regarding its unfree dependents. Her statement, however, is only partially true: Dozens studies, particularly medieval period, investigated legal ecclesiastical people in many parts Europe, Italy, Russia, Eastern France, Germany. Unfortunately, this volume ignores these sources almost entirely, making use exclusively an English-written historiography a few exceptions German. approach regrettable for concerning European continental areas which copious discussions valuable source materials are available.Chapter 2 way presents relates it ancient Roman Jewish law. Unsurprisingly, concludes did not condemn per se. Chapter 3 treats Church, presenting first “non-biblical texts” before moving post-apostolic generations finally proto-canon law slavery. Sommar’s main conclusion Christians treat their better than Romans did. 4, examines imperial provides examples drawn legislation general as well such Gaul, Spain, Africa, Italy. According Sommar, texts all reaffirmed biblical command obey masters decently. 5 explores Germanic kingdoms (strangely including Byzantium). Unlike previous chapters, one raises analytical questions primarily differences between Visigothic/Frankish societies Lombard traditions rules wonders whether were “simply cultural manifestations or accident geography.” She “it hard say.” 6 investigates “Carolingians Ecclesiastic Servitude,” title problematical because presupposes discussion forms servitude other book. do reveal any practical distinctions. 7 argues classical canon (a widely topic) followed evolution people: By thirteenth century, free laborers become irrelevant peasants increasingly bound land chattel continued across Mediterranean. context, dependents treated no differently counterparts who lay masters. final point, new kind thinking—known ius commune—eventually spread throughout marking end slavery, Church’s hold people, also problematical. Ecclesiastical serfs, bonded even appear historical documents late nineteenth century Italy Central Europe.This will be those curious how individual churches Europe regulated serfdom. However, answer practice meaning bondage Church whole.
Journal of Interdisciplinary History