Archbishop Hincmar of Rheims (d.882) is a crucial figure for early medieval European history. New book presents the latest research into his life-work as councillor, historian,estate administrate and bishop
Hincmar of Rheims: Life and work
by Rachel Stone (Editor) and Charles West (Editor)
Manchester University Press 2015
ISBN-10: 0719091403
ISBN-13: 978-0719091407
ABSTRACT:
Archbishop Hincmar of Rheims (d.882) is a crucial figure for early medieval European history. As an archbishop for nearly forty years, Hincmar shaped the times in which he lived, advising and admonishing kings, playing a leading role in the Frankish church, and intervening in a range of political and doctrinal disputes. His role in the controversial attempts by King Lothar II to divorce his queen Theutberga has particularly interested researchers. Hincmar also shaped how ninth-century events would later be seen by historians up to the present day by writing historical accounts such as the Annals of St-Bertin, and by carefully preserving dossiers of material for posterity. He is a key source for political, social and religious history in the period, providing information on everything from papal politics to the abduction of women and the role of parish priests.
This book puts the archbishop himself centre-stage, bringing together the latest international research across the spectrum of his varied activities, as history-writer, estate administrator, hagiographer, canonist, pastorally-engaged bishop and politically-minded royal advisor. For the first time since Jean Devisses magisterial studies of the 1970s, it offers a three-dimensional examination of a controversial figure whose actions and writings in different fields are often studied in isolation, at the cost of a holistic appreciation. Combining research from recognised experts (such as Janet Nelson, Philippe Depreux and Mayke de Jong) as well as early-career historians, it will be an essential companion for all those interested in the Carolingian world, and early medieval Europe more broadly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Introduction – Rachel Stone
- The bearing of Hincmar’s life on his historical writing – Janet L. Nelson
- To fight with words: the case of Hincmar of Laon in the Annals of St. Bertin – Christine Kleinjung
- An unfortunate necessity? Hincmar and Lothar I – Elina Screen
- ‘We are between the hammer and the anvil’: Hincmar in the crisis of 875 – Clémentine Bernard-Valette
- Hincmar’s influence during Louis the Stammerer’s reign – Margaret McCarthy
- Hincmar and his Roman legal sources – Simon Corcoran
- ‘Hincmar et la loi’ revisited: on Hincmar’s use of capitularies – Philippe Depreux
- The bishop and the law, according to Hincmar’s Life of Saint Remigius – Marie-Céline Isaïa
- Family order and kingship according to Hincmar – Sylvie Joye
- ‘The praetor does concern himself with trifles’: Hincmar, the polyptych of St-Remi of Rheims and the slaves of Courtisols – Josiane Barbier
- Hincmar’s parish priests – Charles West
- Heresy in the flesh: Gottschalk of Orbais and the predestination controversy in the archdiocese of Rheims – Matthew Bryan Gillis
- Hincmar, priests and Pseudo-Isidore. The case of Trising in context – Mayke de Jong
- Bibliography of primary sources
- Select bibliography of secondary literature
- Index
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