Description
Book SynopsisThis book provides students of both medieval history and political thought with an accessible and lucid introduction to the early development of certain ideas fundamental to the organisation of the modern world and contains a full bibliography to assist students wishing to pursue the subject in greater depth.
Trade Review"Not only does Political Thought in Europe, 1250-1450 fill an important gap, but it does so with grace, clarity and vision." Cary J. Nederman, The Review of Politics
"The two salient qualities of Political Thought in Europe, 1250-1450 are, first, that it is the product of rethinking, as opposed to being one more restatement of received knowledge, and, second, that it is free of any pet interpretations. Antony Black has no place for ascending and descending theories of authority, as a way of categorizing different concepts of sovereignty, or for Aristotle's political doctrines as the basis of the medieval political outlook. Indeed, he recognizes that there was no single medieval outlook. He also rightly rejects such outdated stereotypes as the corporate character of medieval society." Gordon Leff, Times Literary Supplement
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements; List of abbreviations; Introduction; 1. The political community; 2. Church and state; 3. Empire and nation; 4. City-states and civic government; 5. Kingship, law and counsel; 6. Parliamentary representation; 7. The state; Select bibliography; Index.
