Imperial Ladies of the Ottonian Dynasty: Women and Rule in Tenth-Century Germany by Phyllis G. Jestice
Anthony Smart
Reviewed by: Imperial Ladies of the Ottonian Dynasty: Women and Rule in Tenth-Century Germany by Phyllis G. Jestice Anthony Smart Germany. By Jestice. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018. Pp. xi + 300. Cloth. $99.99. ISBN 978-3319773056. When Otto II died malaria Rome on December 7, 983, news did not reach Aachen until at least three weeks later. His three-year-old son had just been coronated as king, securing his legacy, it was after coronation that assembled magnates learned emperor's death, cutting short celebration, throwing political world into turmoil. A boy king never an ideal situation for early medieval theorists, poor kingship often equated with those too young to rule: Vae enium terrae, cuius rex est puer et principes mane comedunt (Ecclesiastes 10:16). The reality could expose inherent fragility various columns government, above all relationship royalty, aristocracy, bishops. However, only succeed father's throne, he guided youth mother grandmother, who provided a stable foundation regency rule. This instantly presents historian sense female power authority, this is proving be popular avenue scholarly research. There have recent books Simon MacLean (Ottonian Queenship, 2017) Penelope Nash (Empress Adelheid Countess Matilda, 2017), both which presented informed persuasive interpretations elite period. Jestice's study Theophanu, through them royal women dynasty, falls wider pattern looking again agency authority tenth century thinking about individuals shape discourse queenship. introduction volume provides rationale work awareness some important sources. intends show "in German rulers relied most heavily bishops but their kinswomen" (3). seen Weibersystem, alongside or against Reichskirchensystem. supports general view scholarship strength queens contrast earlier rulers, Carolingian age. introduction, however, needed engage more readily dominant historiographical perspectives, particular studies. Without this, unclear how embryonic argument will develop Nash. followed two chapters are weakest volume. Although choice topics each makes (women, prestige marriage), there crucial lack structure direction and, thus, sections appear touch descriptive narrative. In chapter 2 [End Page 395] overview period, while useful observations made, appears superficial hurried. discussion Hrotsvit good undermined consistent source analysis. At one point, mentions Dhuoda, famous writers Middle Ages, whose Liber Manualis displays her sorrow situation, level education erudition paints image renovatio. writes "Dhuoda, wrote manual son, such conventional account hard see human woman behind it" (20). case. Dhuoda reimagined motherhood own role educator William, other pueri court king. Chapter 3 looks marriage reaches number summative points regarding special changing nature family. Again, section rigorous methodological focus; particular, when interrogating contemporary writings attitudes shaped them. From 4 onward book improves. part, because chosen allows...
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