Overview

It is impossible to completely understand the history of the medieval church without understanding how bishops’ control was exercised in the diocese, and in the city. This book assesses the differences, shifts and changes in the power of the bishop in the cities and the dioceses of Lincoln and Cremona from the middle of the 11th century to the mid-14th century. Lincoln, with the biggest medieval diocese in England and with its unique series of bishops such as Hugh of Wells, Hugh of Avalon, Robert Grosseteste and Oliver Sutton, represents a substantial example to study in order to understand why and how the power of the bishop changed. On the other hand Cremona, with its unique political role during the central medieval centuries and with bishops of the calibre of Oberto and Sicardo, epitomizes the struggle for power and authority the bishops had to face in a communal Italian city. The comparison between the bishop’s powers highlights in great detail both the similarities and the differences between the roles and functions of the prelates in the two cities, as indicated by the available evidence and by the questions asked by historians.

Full Product Details

9781443870658

Table of Contents

Reviews

This is a book with a great deal of potential. Case studies such as Power, Politics and Episcopal Authority provide a means to look beyond the local or regional and to engage with underlying similarities and differences in the political and religious positions of the bishops of Europe. Silvestri should be applauded for undertaking a difficult and ambitious exercise. Robert Houghton University of Winchester Speculum, 91: 3 (2016)

This is a book with a great deal of potential. Case studies such as Power, Politics and Episcopal Authority provide a means to look beyond the local or regional and to engage with underlying similarities and differences in the political and religious positions of the bishops of Europe. Silvestri should be applauded for undertaking a difficult and ambitious exercise. Robert HoughtonUniversity of WinchesterSpeculum, 91: 3 (2016)

Author Information

Angelo Silvestri received Bachelor of Art degrees in both Philosophy and Germanic Philology from Parma University, in addition to a PhD in Medieval History from Cardiff University, where he currently teaches Italian Language and Italian History at the School of Modern Languages. His research focuses on the role of the church and the evolution of the power of the bishop during the medieval period in England and Western Europe, on the function and the role of art during the Middle Ages, and on the political, cultural and social history of Medieval Europe.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available