Imperial Ladies of the Ottonian Dynasty: Women and Rule in Tenth-Century Germany

Description

In tenth-century Europe and particularly in Germany, imperial women were able to wield power in ways that were scarcely imaginable in earlier centuries. Theophanu and Adelheid were two of the most influential figures in the Ottonian reich along with their husbands, who relied heavily on their support. Phyllis G. Jestice examines an array of factors that produced their power and prestige, including societal attitudes toward women, their wealth, their unction as queens, and their carefully constructed image of piety. Due to their influential positions, Theophanu and Adelheid reclaimed control of the young Otto III despite fierce opposition from Henry the Quarrelsome during the throne struggle of 984. In examining how they successfully secured the regency, this book confronts the outmoded notion of exceptionalism and illuminates the lives of powerful Ottonian women. Preface Contents Abbreviations List of Figures Chapter 1: Introduction: The Road to Regency Chapter 2: Women in Tenth-Century Germany Making Women Visible Clerical Conceptions Dealing with Stereotypes Shifting Ground Strong Women Conclusion Chapter 3: Prestige Marriage Marriage and the First Ottonian Kings The Italian Marriage The Byzantine Bride Chapter 4: The Wealth of Queens Dowries and Dos Did Ownership Mean Control? The Queen’s Entourage Sharing the Wealth Chapter 5: The Lord’s Anointed The King as Christus Domini A Sacred Family? Sacring The Lady as the Lord’s Anointed Picturing the Queen Chapter 6: Piety as Power Queens on Earth and in Heaven A Rich and Regal Virtue The Husband Saved Through the Wife Prayer and Memoria Pious Benefactors Holy Queens Chapter 7: Connections Kin Long-Distance Players in a Local and Regional World Doing Favors Conclusion Chapter 8: Partners in Rule From Wife to Consort Partnership Marriage? The Ottonian Consors Royal Deputies Peace-Weavers Counselor in Chief Chapter 9: 984 The Threat Enter the Empresses Anti-Greek Agitation The Most Important Ally The Coming of the Empresses Conclusion Chapter 10: Regents Winning Friends and Influencing People Theophanu and the Crown of France Military Threats The Regents and Italy Conclusion Chapter 11: Epilogue: The Power of Royal Women? Bibliography Primary Sources Secondary Sources Index