King John and Religion (Paperback)

A study of the personal religion of King John, presenting a more complex picture of his actions and attitude. King John has been perceived as one of England's most notorious monarchs. Medieval writers and later historians condemn him as a tyrant, seeing his long-running dispute with the church as evidence of a king who showed little regard for his faith. This book takes issue with orthodox opinion, arguing that in matters of religion, the critique obscures the evidence for a ruler who realized that outward manifestations of faith were an important part of kingship. It demonstrates that John maintained chapels and chaplains, prayed at shrines of the saints, kept his own collection of holy relics, endowed masses, founded and supported religious houses, and fed the poor - providing for his soul and emphasising his aura of authority. In these areas, he ranks alongside many other medieval rulers. The book also presents a major reassessment of the king's dispute with the church, when England was subject to a generalinterdict, and the king was excommunicate, the severest sanctions the medieval church could impose. It reveals the lasting damage to the king's reputation, but also shows how royal religious activity continued whilst king and pope were at loggerheads. Furthermore, despite his vilification since his death, there were those prepared to honour John's memory, during the medieval period and beyond.

General

Imprint:	The Boydell Press
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Studies in the History of Medieval Religion
Release date:	October 2020
First published:	2020
Authors:	Paul Webster
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback - Trade
Pages:	269
ISBN-13:	978-1-78327-547-2
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Humanities > History > British & Irish history > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > History of religion Books > History > British & Irish history > General Books > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > History of religion
LSN:	1-78327-547-2
Barcode:	9781783275472

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