Ansgar, Rimbert and the Forged Foundations of Hamburg-Bremen
Challenging the Myths of Early Medieval Missionary Work
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:28th Oct '11
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book reexamines the lives of Ansgar and Rimbert, revealing the myths behind their missionary work in Denmark and Sweden, and challenging established historical narratives.
The book Ansgar, Rimbert and the Forged Foundations of Hamburg-Bremen delves into the lives of two pivotal figures in medieval ecclesiastical history: Ansgar and Rimbert. As ninth-century bishops and missionaries, they played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity in Denmark and Sweden. However, the narrative surrounding their contributions is often steeped in myth and exaggeration. This work challenges the traditional views of their legacy, revealing how Ansgar and Rimbert constructed a complex web of fabrications regarding their missions, often with the support of influential kings and popes.
The authors argue that the commonly accepted historical accounts, particularly those surrounding the establishment of the archdiocese at Hamburg and Bremen, are largely fictional. Contrary to popular belief, Ansgar did not actually found this archdiocese; instead, the concept emerged in the tenth century, long after his time. The book meticulously analyzes historical documents and Rimbert's Vita Anskarii, providing fresh insights into the political and ecclesiastical landscape of early medieval Europe.
By revising our understanding of the Carolingian northeastern expansion following Charlemagne, Ansgar, Rimbert and the Forged Foundations of Hamburg-Bremen offers a compelling reexamination of early medieval history. It invites readers to reconsider the reliability of historical narratives and the motivations behind the creation of such myths, ultimately shedding light on the true nature of Ansgar and Rimbert's contributions.
'... there has remained a general acceptance of the narrative presented by Rimbert’s Life of Ansgar. What has hindered many scholars who would pursue a more skeptical line has been the daunting task of grappling with the diplomatic evidence. Eric Knibbs has not only engaged with this evidence to great effect but also communicates his findings with a clarity that makes their logic readily apparent even to those not deeply learned in the study of diplomas... This book is extremely valuable to anyone interested in the history of the Church in Scandinavia and Germany in the early-medieval period.' Catholic Historical Review '... a careful and critical rereading of the relevant ninth-century texts... this book makes an important contribution to the history of the later Frankish empire and the early church in German lands... The more technical chapters are not an easy read, but the payoff comes at the end, when one realizes just how much Knibbs has brought to light and revised with his analysis.' German Studies Review 'From an historical perspective, [Ansgar, Rimbert and the Forged Foundations of Hamburg-Bremen] paints a fascinating picture of two men, Ansgar and Rimbert, desperate to make themselves and their see appear a lot more important than they and it really were. Their reworking of recent history, especially when set alongside the audacity with which they hoodwinked successive emperors, popes and arch bishops is quite remarkable, and Knibb’s free-flowing and energetic narrative does much to illuminate this process.' Mediaevistik 'Knibbs’ book displays clever detective work and careful analysis certainly of interest to graduate students and scholars of ecclesiastical history.' Religious Studies Review 'This is a valuable and thought-provoking book that will make historians of the Carolingian church and of the Frankish missions to Scandinavia in the ninth century re-evaluate some of their basic assumptions.' English Historical Review 'Crucially, Knibbs’
ISBN: 9781409428824
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 521g
270 pages