<i>The Bishop Reformed: Studies of Episcopal Power and Culture in the Central Middle Ages</i> (review)
Marcus Harmes
Reviewed by: The Bishop Reformed: Studies of Episcopal Power and Culture in the Central Middle Ages Marcus Harmes Ott, John S., Anna Trumbore Jones, eds, (Church, Faith Medieval West), Aldershot, Ashgate, 2007; hardback; pp. xvi, 282; 14 b/w illustrations, 4 maps; R.R.P £60.00; ISBN 9780754657651. Although its focus is on one level order ministry, this book a wide-ranging survey, encompassing analysis canon law, liturgy, religious art political structures post-Carolingian period. Its geographic [End Page 235] range similarly diverse, covering British Isles to Croatia. contributors, mostly from American universities, explore period they describe as 'Central Ages', meaning final collapse Carolingian Empire Fourth Lateran Council (1215). Their studies episcopal power are situated social, changes which characterize Western Europe period, including development municipal governments city states, concomitant papal power, new orders monastic rules. editors locate their recent historiographical context that has privileged voices women minorities, silenced by hierarchies, hierarchies. This does not so much reassert traditional institutions elites (although many chapters deal strictly with kings, emperors noblemen) but instead charts interactions between hierarchy other layers society. introduction sketches overall significance bishops principal characteristics western episcopate, noble birth bishops. While it announces editors' intention provide first generalized study episcopate whole offers fairly impressionistic most themselves highly specialized individual bishops, Gerard Cambrai-Arras Wulfstan, Archbishop Canterbury during reign Æthelwold II (the 'Unready'). Nonetheless, builds up some general conclusions. In particular surveyed operated within contours shaped end Empire, where territorial lordships supplanted centralized authority. These circumstances even extended Wulfstan England, Reneé R. Trilling suggesting ideas influenced English polity. Another theme uniting participation laity church and, conversely, importance kingdoms, dukedoms Holy Roman Empire. Thus Chapter 2 tensions Poitiers local magnates, 3 law texts reveal willingness work lay rulers reconstructs his impact codes However, Chapters 5 6 consider more sacerdotal representation contemporary sources. brief examines construction 236] image visual precisely (and perhaps ambitiously) dates emergence liturgy expressing sacramental year 1000. Despite precise dating, chapter also gradual transition taking lead over monks shaping liturgy. considers representations capture moments participating liturgical acts. It iconography 'liturgical postures' (p. 92). was benediction, an action suggests integrated wider set expectations, such healing. 7 resorts written rather than evidence draw similar conclusions how represented functions society necessity. diocese illuminates laid out parameters authority, demanding non-burial excommunicates. Later implications actions identity nebulous conditions title, Reformed less reform office imaginative adjustment bishops...
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