Papal Jurisprudence c. 400

‘The history of the papacy in the early Middle Ages is plagued with conflicting scholarly interpretations of its role, importance, and doctrines. David L. d’Avray has written a masterfully lucid analysis of the first papal letters, papal authority and institutions, and the problems the bishops of Rome faced as they strove to create a universal set of norms for the church.’ Ken Pennington, Catholic University of America‘It is a superb book.’ Kenneth Pennington, Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies‘­… d’Avray’s book provides important insights for scholars and students of the medieval Church. It shows the importance of the fifth century as a formative period, when papal jurisprudence took shape as the result of the exchange of letters between popes and bishops.’ Barbara Bombi, English Historical Review‘This story, based on a lifetime of research, is told by reference to the political, social, and economic conditions of the times so as to make it extremely engaging. … It is a splendid work of detailed research, erudite yet readable, which forms a notable contribution to the literature on canon law and especially its development. I cannot praise it too highly.’ John Duddington, Law and Justice

David L. d’Avray is Professor of History at University College London. He has published widely on medieval preaching, death and kingship, marriage, rationalities, and the papacy. His previous publications include Papacy, Monarchy and Marriage, 860–1600 (Cambridge, 2015) and Dissolving Royal Marriages: A Documentary History, 860–1600 (Cambridge, 2014). He has been a Fellow of the British Academy since 2005 and a Corresponding Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America since 2016.