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IMC 2014: Sessions

Session 1717: The Holy Roman Empire in the Later Middle Ages

Thursday 10 July 2014, 14.15-15.45

Moderator/Chair:Len Scales, Institute of Medieval & Early Modern Studies, Durham University
Paper 1717-aEmperor Ludwig IV, 1328-1347: As Judge, Arbiter, and Administrative Authority of Conflicts
(Language: English)
Hendrik Baumbach, Institut für Mittelalterliche Geschichte, Philipps-Universität, Marburg
Index terms: Administration, Language and Literature - German, Law
Paper 1717-bIn His Father's Shadow: Sigismund of Luxemburg's Imperial Ambitions
(Language: English)
Robert Kurelić, Department of History, University of Pula / Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest
Index terms: Language and Literature - German, Military History, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1717-cDiverging Historiographies: Different Views of Henry VII of Luxembourg
(Language: English)
Eugenio Guasco, Dipartimento Di Studi Umanistici, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale 'Amedeo Avogadro', Vercelli
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Historiography - Modern Scholarship
Abstract

Paper -a:
Indicating imperatorial power, the sword was the most identifying symbol for jurisdictional authority in the Middle Ages. In addition, jurisdiction applied to the prime privilege of the imperial lordship; the emperor was the highest judge in his empire. In the 14th century, though, the example of Ludwig IV demonstrated that the number of imperatorial sentences was declining. On the contrary, the emperor was frequently acting as arbiter or was delegating his jurisdictional authority deliberately to other rulers. The practice of medieval conflict resolution had been transforming in a manner of practicability and effectiveness.

Paper -b:
Sigismund of Luxemburg's designated fate was to succeed to the Margraviate of Brandenburg and support his brother as emperor. After his inheritance of Hungary his ambitions expanded drastically and his political and military activities seem to have been driven by one overarching goal: to match and eclipse the accomplishments and prestige of his father, Charles IV. Throughout his long life and rein Sigismund seems to have struggled with the shadow of his successful father. The crusade against the Ottomans, the quest for the imperial crown and the attempts to heal Western Christendom show a man seeking near unattainable goals and often thwarted in his designs. This paper presents the successes and failures of one of the most intriguing rulers of the Late Middle Ages.

Paper -c:
The 700th anniversary of the Italian voyage and death of the Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg (d. 1313) has given new vigor to the historiography related to this topic. In Italy several conferences focused on Henry's relationships with the 'Signorie', while in other countries, historians have focused more on the image and the iconography of the Emperor and on the building of an imperial dynasty by the little House of Luxembourg. This paper will provide an overview on the most recent studies about Henry VII, highlighting the differences between the national historiographies, differences that closely mirror those already detectable in the chroniclers of the 14th century.