Kingship, Rebellion and Political Culture: England and Germany, C. 1215 - C. 1250

Taking as its starting point two uprisings in England and Germany (Richard Marshal in 1233-4 and Henry (VII) in 1234-5), this book offers a new take on the political culture of high medieval Europe. Themes include: the role of violence; the norms of political behaviour; the public nature of politics; and the social history of political exchange. Kingship, Rebellion and Political Culture offers a new take on the political culture of thirteenth-century Europe, based on an exploration of the revolt led by Earl Richard Marshal against King Henry III in England (1233-4), and that led by King Henry VII against Emperor Frederick II in Germany (1234-5). Approaching medieval politics from a comparative perspective, it covers the ideals and norms of political behaviour, the role of violence and the public nature of medieval politics. It draws particular attention to the relationship between the framework of politics and ideals of secular power and its purposes, but also to the numerous tensions and debates that defined politics in this period. In the process, the book sheds new light on social groups, and on the means and mechanisms often ignored by historians of medieval politics Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 To Be King in Name as well as Deed: the Revolt of Henry (VII) in Germany (1234–5)....Pages 3-10 The Marshal Rebellion in England (1233–4)....Pages 11-21 Rebellion in Context....Pages 22-33 Front Matter....Pages 35-38 Loyalty, Justice and Honour: Henry (VII) and Frederick II....Pages 39-52 Justice, Loyalty and the Absence of Honour: Frederick II and Henry (VII) as Seen by Their Contemporaries....Pages 53-75 Loyalties True and False: Political Values in England....Pages 76-99 Front Matter....Pages 101-103 Creating a Public....Pages 105-129 Addressing the Public: Rituals, Gestures and Charters....Pages 130-150 Townsmen, Clergy and Knights: the Public in Politics....Pages 151-171 Conclusion....Pages 172-178 Back Matter....Pages 179-235