The Flight and Fall of the Eagle: A History of Medieval Germany 800-1648

by John R. Sommerfeldt

Overview

The intellectual, cultural, and political renaissance that characterized the Europe of Charlemagne was threatened severely by invasions from all sides. Only Germany avoided the consequent phenomenon of feudalism. This was due to a series of rulers who provided protection to the people, reform to the Church, and patronage of cultural revival. From the thirteenth century, this cultural and political unity began to fragment, and by 1648 what had been a successful revival of the Roman Empire had been destroyed. In addition to tracing the political, cultural and religious history of medieval Germany, this volume examines the thought of outstanding German men and women, and includes an extensive account of the changing status of German Jews.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761868392
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	10/25/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	210
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

John R. Sommerfeldt is professor emeritus at the University of Dallas. He was the founder of the Medieval Institute at Western Michigan University and, for many years, hosted the International Congress on Medieval Studies held each year at that University. In 1972 he came to the University of Dallas to serve as its president. He then returned to teaching at that university until 2010 when he retired and was made professor emeritus. He has written or edited thirty volumes on matters intellectual and cultural.

Table of Contents

Preface
I.The Eagle is Born
II.Restoring the Roman Empire
A.Prelude to Empire
B.The Carolingians Replaced
C.Protecting the Homeland
D.Creating a State
E.Enlisting Leaders of the Church
F.Administering the Kingdom
G.Italy and Empire
H.The Ottonian Renaissance
J.Hrotswitha of Gandersheim
K.The End of the Old Warrior's Campaign
III.Growing Peace and Prosperity
A.The Agricultural Revolution
B.Otto II: Advances and Setbacks
C.Sources of Strength
D.A Flourishing Culture
IV.A Vision of Christendom
A.The Early Years of Otto III
B.Pope Sylvester II
C.Adelbert of Prague, Boleslav the Bold, and Stephen of Hungary
D.Church Reform and Roman Restoration
E.Intellectual Life Under Otto III
F.The End of the Reign
V.Reform and Imperial Theocracy
A.The King and Emperor
B.Episcopal and Monastic Reform
C.Imperial Theocracy
D.The Making of the Theocrat
E.The Governance of the Empire
F.Universality and Regionalism
VI.The Construction of a State
A.Choosing the King
B.The Governance of the Realm
C.T