| Abstract | Paper -a:
Unlike most medieval conceptions of monarchy, Alan of Lille's was not founded on theology – if we take the meaning of this term literally. What indeed he meant for it was, in fact, basically a sort of translation of the Aristotelian doctrine about intellect. This view had a conspicuous practical side: since truth is attainable, the whole of the practical sphere of human life should be organised and entirely built around this unshakable core, especially with regard to politics. Hence the necessity of a ruler that has to be, platonically enough, also a true philosopher. Dante, who very likely knew Alan's work, also shaped his views on monarchy from a philosophical point of view. Both authors, in the end, draw their conceptions of monarchy and its necessity as the practical side of a metaphysical view of the world rooted in fully rational, soundly-founded axioms and principles.
Paper -b:
Carolingian authors like Alcuin or the Astronomer saw the empire as a body, subject to all sorts of incommodities and in need of medical care by 'doctors'. This paper seeks to elaborate on the political implications of this metaphor as well as their consequences for the rulers.
What measures were taken as a result of this way of thinking? Did it affect the practice of government in any way? Can this 'empire body' be seen as a predecessor of the later 'body politic', a second, immortal body of the ruler, as examined by Kantorowicz in his famous study?
Paper -c:
Conrad of Megenberg (1309-1374) composed a number of disparate political treatises that in varying degrees refer to the last struggle of empire and papacy in the time of Emperor Ludwig IV and its aftermath. Writing these after Ludwig had been crowned emperor in Rome without the pope being involved and being one of the few contemporaries who represented the papal view in Germany but also addressed the papal policy with criticism, concerns, and admonition makes Conrad a particular interesting author. This paper focuses on Conrad’s concept of empire and, especially, on his discussion of the imperial coronation and its meaning.
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