Papal Reform And Canon Law In The 11th And 12th Centuries

Published in 1998, these essays focus on Rome and the curia in the 11th and 12th centuries. Several relate to Cardinal Deusdedit and his canonical collection (1087) and to the pontificate of Paschal II (1099-1118). Both personalities and their ideas are presented within the larger setting of contemporary problems, highlighting divergent currents among ecclesiastical reformers at a time of the investiture controversies. A third common theme is formed by discussions of the organization and archival practices of the curia, which were of fundamental importance for the growth and codification of canon law, not to mention papal control of the Church.

Published in 1998, these essays focus on Rome and the curia in the 11th and 12th centuries. Several relate to Cardinal Deusdedit and his canonical collection (1087) and to the pontificate of Paschal II (1099-1118). Both personalities and their ideas are presented within the larger setting of contemporary problems, highlighting divergent currents among ecclesiastical reformers at a time of the investiture controversies. A third common theme is formed by discussions of the organization and archival practices of the curia, which were of fundamental importance for the growth and codification of canon law, not to mention papal control of the Church.

These articles reflect a common interest in the relationships between canon law and ecclesiastical reform in the 11th and 12th centuries. Many investigate the contribution of two key figures, Humbert, cardinal bishop of Silva Candida, and Pope Gregory VII, after whom the reform movement is named.

Professor Somerville deals here with the history of Latin Christianity at a crucial time - the century of the Gregorian reform movement and of the Investiture conflict between the papacy and the empire. The articles are concerned with the policies of the popes, as expressed in their letters and the canons of the councils they summoned, and with the impact on the life and laws of the Church. Conciliar history, indeed, forms the main focus of the volume, and the author's aim has been to subject the relevant texts and manuscripts to detailed scrutiny in order to determine their veracity and chronology. In so doing he also demolishes some of the pseudo-historical problems that have arisen from an uncritical reliance upon early printed editions. This investigation of the texts is of evident importance for the study of canon law, but it also shows how they can serve as valuable sources for the history of the Western Middle Ages, revealing much about life in the period, as well as about papal politics. Le professeur Sommerville traite ici de la chrétiénte latine au coeurs de la période cruciale que fut le siècle du movement de réforme grégorien et du conflit d'investiture entre la papauté et l'empire. Ces études se préoccupent de la politique des papes, telle qu'on peut la voir exprimée au travers de leurs lettres et de canons issus des conciles qu'ils réunissaient. Elles s'intéressent aussi à leur influence sur la vie et les lois d'Eglise. L'histoire conciliare forme, en effet, la plus grande part de ce receuil et l'auteur s'y propose de soumettre textes et manuscrits appropriés à une étude détaillée, afin d'en déterminer la véracité et la chronologie. Ce faisant, il élimine aussi un certain nombre de problèmes pseudo-historiques, subvenus en raison de la trop confiance accordée aux editions anciennes. Cette enquÃate menée sur les textes est, de toute évidence, d'une grande importance en ce qui concerne l'étude du droit

Published in 1998, these essays focus on Rome and the curia in the 11th and 12th centuries. Several relate to Cardinal Deusdedit and his canonical collection (1087) and to the pontificate of Paschal II (1099-1118). Both personalities and their ideas are presented within the larger setting of contemporary problems, highlighting divergent currents among ecclesiastical reformers at a time of the investiture controversies. A third common theme is formed by discussions of the organization and archival practices of the curia, which were of fundamental importance for the growth and codification of canon law, not to mention papal control of the Church.

Focusing on how the papacy took an increasing role in shaping the direction of its own reform and that of society itself, this text also addresses the role of the Latin Church in Western Europe and how reformist writings sought to change the behaviour and expectations of the aristocracy.

The eleventh-century papal reform transformed the western European Church and society and permanently altered the relations of Church and State in the west. The reform was inaugurated by Pope Leo IX (1048-54) and given a controversial change of direction by Pope Gregory VII (1073-85). This book contains the earliest biographies of both popes, presented here for the first time in English translation with detailed commentaries. The biographers of Leo IX were inspired by his universally acknowledged sanctity, whereas the biographers of Gregory VII wrote to defend his reputation against the hostility generated by his reforming methods and his conflict with King Henry IV. Also included is a translation of Book to a Friend, written by Bishop Bonizo of Sutri soon after the death of Gregory VII, as well as an extract from the violently anti-Gregorian polemic of Bishop Benzo of Alba (1085) and the short biography of Leo IX composed in the papal curia in the 1090s by Bishop Bruno of Segni.

A revolution shook the Christian world in the second half of the eleventh century. Many eminent historians point to Hildebrand, later Gregory VII (1073-1085), as the prime mover of this movement that aspired to free the Church from secular entanglements, and to return it to its state of paleochristian purity. I see the reform from the perspective of much wider developments such as the split between the Greek and the Latin Churches and the Norman infiltration of Southern Italy. Contentrating on the popes and the antipopes I delve into the character and motivations of the important personae, and do not see the movement as a smooth line of progress. I see the outcome as reversal of power of what had been a strong empire and a weak papacy.