Sacred Foundations: The Religious and Medieval Roots of the European State
(Hardback)
Available Formats
Publishing Details
Sacred Foundations: The Religious and Medieval Roots of the European State
By (Author) Anna M. Grzymaa-Busse
Princeton University Press
Princeton University Press
1st March 2023
United States
Classifications
General
Non Fiction
European history: medieval period, middle ages
History of religion
270.5
Physical Properties
Hardback
256
Width 156mm, Height 235mm
Description
How the medieval church drove state formation in Europe
Sacred Foundations argues that the medieval church was a fundamental force in European state formation. Existing accounts focus on early modern warfare or contracts between the rulers and the ruled. In contrast, this major study shows that the Catholic Church both competed with medieval monarchs and provided critical templates for governing institutions, the rule of law, and parliaments.
The Catholic Church was the most powerful, wealthiest, and best-organized political actor in the Middle Ages. Starting in the eleventh century, the papacy fought for the autonomy of the church, challenging European rulers and then claiming authority over people, territory, and monarchs alike. Anna Grzymaa-Busse demonstrates how the church shaped distinct aspects of the European state. Conflicts with the papacy fragmented territorial authority in Europe for centuries to come, propagating urban autonomy and ideas of sovereignty. Thanks to its organizational advantages and human capital, the church also developed the institutional precedents adopted by rulers across Europefrom chanceries and taxation to courts and councils. Church innovations made possible both the rule of law and parliamentary representation.
Bringing to light a wealth of historical evidence about papal conflict, excommunications, and ecclesiastical institutions, Sacred Foundations reveals how the challenge and example of powerful religious authorities gave rise to secular state institutions and galvanized state capacity.
Reviews
"A very fine book. . . and one with much relevance to our own times."---Tony Barber, Financial Times
Author Bio
Anna Grzymaa-Busse is the Michelle and Kevin Douglas Professor of International Studies at Stanford University, where she is also senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. Her books include Nations under God: How Churches Use Moral Authority to Influence Policy (Princeton).
