MARIOS COSTAMBEYS. Power and Patronage in Early Medieval Italy: Local Society, Italian Politics and the Abbey of Farfa, c. 700-900. (Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought, Fourth Series, number 70.) New York: Cambridge University Press. 2007. Pp. xvi, 388. $115.00
Thomas F. X. Noble
Marios Costambeys set himself several tasks: to explain why Farfa sought patrons and was itself a patron, what impact patronage had on its region; provide for central Italy the kind of study recently accomplished northern areas Carolingian realm (he mentions Matthew Innes, Hans Hummer, John Nightingale); explore political social geography liminal (i.e., frontier) monasteries. The book argues that as distinct institution arose from interplay local elites among themselves with dukes Spoleto, Lombard kings, popes, Carolingians. On whole, author acquits well these stated goals. After rambling introduction treats source material which rests, turns series seven chapters rest detailed analysis charters in registers other material...
The American Historical Review