Undefined Terms
Chris Jones
Between 1200 and 1350, the meaning attributed to terms ‘emperor’ ‘empire’ evolved in France reflect growth power of Capetian-Valois kings a concomitant decline authority exercised by contemporary Romano-German rulers. Both were ubiquitous this period. The fact that neither was adopted describe expansion royal because, as article will demonstrate, its considered consolidation existing rights limited deep-seated concerns for legitimacy, which fostered imperial comparisons. At same time, multi-layered understanding terminology developed France. On one level, became interchangeable with ‘kingdom’ ‘king’. Yet vocabulary remained highly malleable. Philip IV’s conflict papacy led development specific arguments intended undermine any subordination French external parties. However, far from becoming irrelevant, empire integral political discourse. It offered solutions otherwise insoluble problems. establishes way office emperor came be understood as, simultaneously, form temporal kingship but encompassed universal role disassociated government. Imperial transmuted thought an association exercise signify specialised function. This function usually, not exclusively, leadership crusade.
Medieval History Journal