Very interesting post! Yes, its consensus which is the font of power in the Middle Ages. This is refreshing to read. My study is of medieval law books. I emphasize over and over in my posts that law books do not issue from the mandate of law makers, but come from innovators who seek to create a consensus. The magnificent appearance of these books can work to impress along these lines. They persuade more than constrain. Rulers are in much the same situation. Charters are in need of being reaffirmed (ie when there is succession) and are seen as binding only as long there is reciprocation. I cite a document issued by Louis the Pious in my most recent post.
Charlemagne is a difficult figure because he has been subject to so much exaggeration, from his contemporary biographer Einhard to modern historians wanting to use him to shore up their own EU European nationalism, ie Charlemagne the great European. (Ive read some biographies in German by Fried, Berg and Bergmeier’s “Charlemagne, Correction of a Myth”). Still, we can’t get around Charlemagne because he did innovate so much.
Very interesting post! Yes, its consensus which is the font of power in the Middle Ages. This is refreshing to read. My study is of medieval law books. I emphasize over and over in my posts that law books do not issue from the mandate of law makers, but come from innovators who seek to create a consensus. The magnificent appearance of these books can work to impress along these lines. They persuade more than constrain. Rulers are in much the same situation. Charters are in need of being reaffirmed (ie when there is succession) and are seen as binding only as long there is reciprocation. I cite a document issued by Louis the Pious in my most recent post.
Charlemagne is a difficult figure because he has been subject to so much exaggeration, from his contemporary biographer Einhard to modern historians wanting to use him to shore up their own EU European nationalism, ie Charlemagne the great European. (Ive read some biographies in German by Fried, Berg and Bergmeier’s “Charlemagne, Correction of a Myth”). Still, we can’t get around Charlemagne because he did innovate so much.