Papal Jurisprudence, 385-1234: Social Origins and Medieval Reception of Canon Law by David L. d'Avray
Michael K. Moore
Reviewed by: Papal Jurisprudence, 385-1234: Social Origins and Medieval Reception of Canon Law by David L. d'Avray Michael Edward Moore d'Avray, Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022. $99.99. Pp. 300. ISBN: 978-1-10867-143-9. In this tightly woven, carefully argued book, the rise thirteenth-century legal science is explained as return, or awkward persistence, old papal law in new contexts, corresponding need for exposition, explanation, decision-making to resolve complex situations which laws did not readily correspond a historical world. This argument only about 'new' situation ecclesiastical life jurisprudence from 1100 1234, but long-enduring presence decisions period 400 500. How serve 700 years later? D'Avray contends that considering history jurisprudence, it flowed into schools age Johannes Teutonicus Liber Extra, historian must account two major ages, key sets problems, principal contexts: first wave second decretals. 'The main focus study on parallels connections between decretal ages' (193). Indeed, one strong theses book existence mutual reflection ages (5th century / 12th century). If long can be described structure, has shape barbell graph. These parallel phases papal-legal mirror another are also termed 'the waves, c.400 c. 1200' (213). The concerned provide detailed narrative sweeping over all those centuries. Instead, short précis changing circumstances presented at certain points order demonstrate dramatic changes leading up periods jurisprudence. scaffolding European somewhat background, helps explain orient readers changes. fall [End Page 217] Roman Empire great crash, versions Peter Heather (106) Julia Smith (218), rather than current fashion seeing continuity instead. There Brown's thesis Christianity brought total change mentality death, re-negotiated social world erection cosmos (4). And there Ian Wood's view massive transfers wealth late antiquity allowed substantial take-off Church (107). Rome mean City, was able an exceptional degree intellectual institutional continuity. some fine passages expresses nature memory embodied building programs such basilica Maria Maggiore (107-108). letters Pope Leo Great similarly monuments recordation (119). After demise Attila collapse Hunnic project, City began take center stage western Europe (23-24). Carolingian briefly alluded frame Admonitio Generalis. so Ottonian dispersal political power post-millenial Europe. D'Avray's analysis 1050-1150 fascinating. clergy had changed. No longer part cohesive antique urban world, early medieval now found themselves agricultural countryside beset small competing principalities. Now they lived shadow lords castles: 'a rural parishes, utterly different original context'—i.e. context decretals regarding matters priestly marriage sexual activity (177). It towns Middle Ages accounts Investiture Controversy turn...
Bulletin of medieval canon law