Power and Patronage in Early Medieval Italy
Marios Costambeys
Founded around the beginning of eighth century in Sabine hills north Rome, abbey Farfa was for centuries a barometer social and political change central Italy. Conventionally, region's history early Middle Ages revolves rise papacy as secular power. But Farfa's avoidance domination by pope throughout its medieval history, despite one pope's involvement establishment, reveals that papal aggrandizement had strict limits. Other parties - local elites, well Lombard then Carolingian rulers were often more important structuring power region. Many also patrons Farfa, this book how major ecclesiastical institution operated politics, conduit others' interests, player own right.