Princely Nobility in an Age of Ambition (c. 1050–1150)
Thomas N. Bisson
Who could doubt that princes ( principes ) were noble in the eleventh and twelfth centuries? For admirers of their power to speak counts Flanders as ‘noble (or ’most noble) prince’ looks on its face a redundancy. Yet sort semantic precision we delight was no deterrent writers these post- Carolingian centuries, it is probably accident they sometimes employed superlative nobilissimus reference princes, dukes, counts. more readily thought nobility attributive than categorical, eager size people up (and down) qualitatively. Princes (that , dukes counts) considered together with kings ruling elite Europe; if not exactly queens, lacked only sacral attributes bestowed by consecration or coronation distinguish it. The regality medieval has been overlooked historians. Charlemagne's concession Aquitaine Louis Pious an archetypal structure power, still kingdom ninth century before becoming one cluster principalities which blood imprint imperial aristocracy survived. Duchies counties be spoken kingdoms centuries; two, like Bavaria, retained some privileges early monarchy. As France, where Capetian have habitually viewed makers central government, Karl Ferdinand Werner argued important article carried ages-old programme regalian but even had priority over devising administrative institutions. seems likely contemporaries experienced princely so much nobility. And this matter scholars less say, because is, was, easy muddle kingliness What understood easily reduced qualitative – birth, prowess, generosity, commonly shared lesser nobles. set forth chronicles, vitae chansons de geste serve define aristocratic ethos abiding, yet inert.