<i>Princes and territories in medieval Germany</i> (review)
John O. Ward
Reviews Arnold, Benjamin, Princes and territories in medieval Germany, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1991; cloth; pp. xiv, 314; R.R.P. AUS$120.00. This is a dense difficult book for the non-specialist to read because it conforms requirements of 'new' history. Lacking dramatic, if artificial, theme Geoffrey Barraclough's celebrated The origins modern Germany (1946), or even reduced sense drama be found textbook such as Horst Fuhrmann's High Middle Ages c. 1050-1200 (Eng. trans. 1986, reviewed Parergon, n.s. 7 [1989], 126-27) without thematic comprehensiveness narrative interstices Alfred Haverkamp's Medieval 1056-1273 1988), presents German history from structural point view. Admittedly limited aristocracy, overlapping somewhat with author's other books, knighthood 1050-1300 (1985) Count bishop Germany: study regional power 1100-1350 (1991), work nevertheless conveys thick fabric central past perceived vantage one familiar attitudes, ambitions, practices group leaders, 'an endogamous caste several hundred families' (p. 141), who owned, were enfeoffed with, acquired ways, lands,titles,followings, prestige that ultimately constituted 'a multiplicity autonomous states under secular dynasties, urban authorities, prince-bishops, . species aristocratic congeries which crown enjoyed enormous but minimal authority' 1). For industrious reader, there historical progression, 'the Carolingian institutional legacy consisting homage, vassalage, fealty, fief-holding, consequent military services andrightsof counsel' 30), through important changes eleventh twelfth centuries, situation later period when principalities dominated territorial lordship scene. In particular, see 31, 53, 62-3, 68-69, 72, 89, 98, 114-15, 117, 118-20 (changes readers book), 121 ('remoulded transmutation' cf. 'remodelled', p. 128), 123,143, 14546 , 151, 212, 251, 280-84 (with must compared evolution just enough support interest rich diet associated topics; example, violence, feud, peace, nature kingship, rise towns, advocacy, expansion eastwards (a topic deartoBarraclough generations European historians' hearts), woodland, justice, questions terminology regard lordship. discussion throughout illuminated by judicious insights extraordinarily ample bibliographic annotation based upon seemingly 136 encyclopaedic knowledge primary sources secondary discussions historians. As forms lucid introduction specialist literature particular value those whose libraries do not contain required material, German. its own right, however, makes major contribution current interpretative paradigms concerning vast detailed panorama and, such, interpretation general; Empire, have always been, were, two-thirds Europe. There comprehensive index, are no maps illustrations. John O.Ward Department History Sydney Baker-Smith, Dominic, More's Utopia, London, Harper Collins Academic, xv, 269; AUS$120.00 (approx.) [Distributed Australia Law Book Company Ltd]. Any doubts Utopia could take weight yet another dispelled opening pages Dominic Baker-Smith's splendid book. ranges over political, social ideological environments was written, gives an text, concludes brief survey various receptions between century ours. first five chapters concerned establishing context More wrote. entails unpacking humanist curriculum. Anyone Yale Surtz's compendious lists classical Christian authorities would know a...
Parergon