Curriculum
teacher profile teaching materials
In the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Programme
Imperial Diplomas Granted to Bishops in the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th CenturiesIn the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Core Documentation
Paolo Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, 1991 (and subsequent editions)Type of evaluation
Final oral examination. Students who wish to do so may present in class the reading and interpretation of a document assigned by the professor. This presentation, along with the corresponding written report, will be taken into account for the final assessment. teacher profile teaching materials
In the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Programme
Imperial Diplomas Granted to Bishops in the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th CenturiesIn the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Core Documentation
Paolo Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, 1991 (and subsequent editions)Type of evaluation
Final oral examination. Students who wish to do so may present in class the reading and interpretation of a document assigned by the professor. This presentation, along with the corresponding written report, will be taken into account for the final assessment.