Henry III of England and the Staufen Empire, 1216-1272 (Royal Historical Society Studies in History New Series) (Volume 48)

Modern historians have frequently maligned Henry III of England (1216-1272) for his entanglements in European affairs. However, this book moves past orthodox opinion to offer a reappraisal of his activities. Using Henry's dealings with the rulers of the Staufen Empire (Germany, Northern France, Northern Italy and Sicily) as a case study to explore the broader international context within which he acted, the author offers a more varied reading of Henry's "European adventures"; he shows that far from being an expensive aberration, they reveal the English king as acting within the same parameters and according to the same norms as his peers and contemporaries. Moreover, they provide new insights into the structures and mechanisms, the ideals and institutions which defined the conduct of relations between rulers and realms in the medieval West; medieval politics, it is argued, cannot be understood in isolation from wider movements, ideals and concepts. The book will be of value not only for historians of medieval England, but also for those with a more general interest in the wider political structures of the pre-modern West. Dr BJORN K. U. WEILER is Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Modern Historians Have Frequently Maligned Henry Iii Of England (1216-1272) For His Entanglements In European Affairs. However, This Book Moves Past Orthodox Opinion To Offer A Reappraisal Of His Activities. Using Henry's Dealings With The Rulers Of The Staufen Empire (germany, Northern France, Northern Italy And Sicily) As A Case Study To Explore The Broader International Context Within Which He Acted, The Author Offers A More Varied Reading Of Henry's 'european Adventures'. He Shows That Far From Being An Expensive Aberration, They Reveal The English King As Acting Within The Same Parameters And According To The Same Norms As His Peers And Contemporaries. Moreover, They Provide New Insights Into The Structures And Mechanisms, The Ideals And Institutions Which Defined The Conduct Of Relations Between Rulers And Realms In The Medieval West; Medieval Politics, It Is Argued, Cannot Be Understood In Isolation From Wider Movements, Ideals And Concepts.--book Jacket. Map: The Holy Roman Empire, C. 1250 Xii -- Part I The Legacy Of Bouvines, 1216-1235 -- 1 Divergent Goals, 1216-1231 19 -- 2 Marriage Politics And The Crusade, 1231-1235 45 -- Part Ii Grand Expectations, 1235-1250 -- 3 Allied Against All Men, 1235-1239 71 -- 4 The Dragon And The Little Snake, 1239-1245 86 -- 5 On Shifting Ground, 1245-1250 110 -- Part Iii From Staufen To Plantagenet? 1250-1272 -- 6 Roles Reversed, 1250-1254 133 -- 7 The Sicilian Business, 1254-1263 147 -- 8 The Reign Of King Richard, 1257-1272 172 -- Conclusion: Politics And Diplomacy In Thirteenth-century Europe 198. Bjorn K.u. Weiler. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 209-240) And Index. Reassessment of the foreign policies and activities of Henry III, revealing them to be more successful than hitherto thought.