Shepherds of the Lord
Carine van Rhijn
This thesis aims to shed light on two, linked phenomena of the Carolingian period that have thusfar been largely ignored. The first is a group low clergy, priests who worked and lived in many rural settlements empire, while second consists recently edited corpus texts written by diocesan bishops for use these same local priests. Two groups episcopal statutes are identified: one between ca. 800 820, produced 850 880. Between 820 850, hardly anything new was written, explanation which should be sought turbulent days empire through, reason attention diverted other directions.
In two chapters about primary sources. statutes, no way uniform begin with, placed context contemporary prescriptive order to, as it were, give them place their own. Whereas both capitularies conciliar decrees consist upper stratum activity this period, argued translated relevant subject-matter use. not only means decisions taken reformers were selected at lower levels ecclesiastical (and thereby lay) hierarchy, also shows how began take more seriously than ever before. In eyes reformers, all inhabitants realm turned into perfect Christians guarantee God's grace whole, they realised representatives church essential reaching goal.
The next (3 4) deal with changing perception priesthood during late eighth ninth centuries. became ministry but especially themes surface directly connected position bishops.
In final chapter, reconstructed from many, framentary Priests, turns out, automatically loyal because privileged free land-holders within society. Contrary kinds presciptions current scholarly insights, can seen accumulate wealth property. stereotype poor seems rather exception rule. What more, protected eachother's interests vis-a-vis bishop, virtually powerless such situations.
All all, opens up relatively field study lowest accessible society, time explores fascinating research has so far
Cultural encounters in late antiquity and the Middle Ages