Begegnungen zwischen dem ostfrankisch-deutschen Reich und England (850-1100): Kontakte - Konstellationen - Funktionalisierung - Wirkungen, by Andreas Bihrer
Ingrid Rembold
This book unfolds with a vignette. In 1062/66, Otloh of St Emmeran undertook to write new life Boniface, basing his text on the earlier by Willibald Mainz. However, where had included letters from Boniface Anglo-Saxon recipients, diverged exemplar, explicitly noting that he would not burden readers foreign affairs, but rather concentrate domestic matters. For which is concerned contacts between England and East Francia, this may seem strange ‘hook’—and indeed it recurs as note ends, some 500 pages later. Yet representative Andreas Bihrer’s central thesis: Francia in period (850–1100) have been grossly exaggerated recent scholarship. Over next chapters, Bihrer puts forward meticulously researched, politely engaged ultimately negative argument: rarity academic publishing, no less valuable for it. With exhaustive detail, seeks demolish idea contact was consistent, intensive, or any way perceived important contemporaries. The book’s coverage just thorough, staggering its scope: considers terms mobility especial focus individual institutional actors; social boundaries communication strategies; traded artefacts, whether physical goods, ideas, representations rulership; and, finally, memories later (pp. 38–41). On all these levels, concludes either direction marginal. useful corrective, one undercuts many assumptions. Yet, has already noted an review (by Levi Roach, Francia-Recensio, 2012/4), goes too far claiming disproved Karl Leyser (p. 510) other scholars who postulated intensive regions. A lack evidence, particularly given problems source base frequently notes, cannot be equated absence contacts: should, however, encourage caution.
The English Historical Review