Die Figur des Herrschers in der Exempelliteratur – Transkulturelle Perspektiven/The figure of the Ruler in Exemplary Literature – Transcultural Perspectives, ed. Mechthild Albert and Ulrike Becker. Studien zu Macht und Herrschaft, 8. Göttingen: V&R unipress/Bonn University Press, 2020, 271 pp., 6 b/w ill.

Abstract

Abstract: As we have realized already for quite some time, the medieval ruler was often the object of harsh criticism, and the role of the king was not at all uncontested during the Middle Ages. Even though the mythical figure of King Arthur seems to be exempt from any particular criticism, most chronicle and romance author voiced rather critical opinions regarding their respective rulers. Thus, there is a good number of surprisingly weak and incompetent kings in a variety of literary genres (cf. Albrecht Classen, “The Cry-Baby Kings in Courtly Romances: What is Wrong with Medieval Kingship?,” Studi Medievali 3a Serie, XXXIX.2 [1998]: 833-63; here not consulted). In many didactic texts, especially in those pertaining to the genre of example literature (wisdom literature), we can detect an entire discourse on the king, viewed both negatively and positively, depending on his character, intellectual acumen, leadership qualities, etc. This topic was discussed more in depth at a workshop in Bonn from Nov. 29 to 30, 2018, and the current volume contains the papers presented there.