Frederick Barbarossa - (Medieval Lives) by G a Loud (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A fresh account of the life and legacy of the legendary Holy Roman emperor.

Frederick Barbarossa--also known as Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor from 1155--was a dominant figure in late-twelfth-century European history. He is remembered as one of the greatest German emperors, for some even as a hero. He brought peace to Germany, fought to maintain control over Italian cities, and engaged in a lengthy dispute with the papacy before his death on a crusade in the Holy Land. Despite his achievements, Frederick I's reign marked a decline in imperial authority, as regional powers asserted their authority with increased fervor. In this book, G. A. Loud examines this paradox, charting the limitations of monarchical power in medieval Europe. This book is a cogent and fresh analysis of Barbarossa.

Review Quotes

"Loud covers three main aspects of Frederick's career: his kingship over the Germans, his time as emperor in Italy, and his role as a warlord on a crusade."-- "Choice"

"German historiography has for a long time made Frederick Barbarossa into a national political figure of power. G. A. Loud releases the image of the Hohenstaufen ruler from this anachronistic portrayal and takes a confident view of the personage of the Emperor, the context of his political actions and his historical significance."--Knut Görich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

"Students of medieval Europe have long needed a clear and reliable introduction to one of the twelfth century's most important, fascinating and paradoxical rulers. This book will meet that need. G. A. Loud has written an excellent overview, showing in a nuanced but accessible way how Barbarossa's personality and ambitions interacted with the structures of power and government available to him in Germany and Italy. It offers vivid insights into both the scope and the limitations of a medieval monarch's power to act and to rule."--Len Scales, Durham University

About the Author

G. A. Loud is emeritus professor of medieval history at the University of Leeds. His books include The Social World of the Abbey of Cava, c. 1020-1300.