Die Register Innocenz III - 9. Pontifikationsjahr

The ninth volume of the edition of pope Innocent IIIs chancery-registers, published as the seventh in the series of the whole edition, is containing 269 letters written in 1206 and 1207, which were issued by the pope except for one, which is a report by delegates. The letters are dealing with theological, liturgical and pastoral questions, organisatory measures and lawsuits between clerics and laypersons, but also between clerical institutions, and with the current political problems in Europe and the Middle East. Especially remarkable are the numerous letters on behalf of the archbishop of Gniezno, shedding light on the political and ecclesiastical situation in the Polish principalities. Further, the German war of succession, causing conflicts within the German church and making its impact even on Bohemian and Hungarian affairs, the organization of the Latin church in the conquered territories of the Byzantine empire, and the fight against heresy in France and Italy must be mentioned. Whereas the political stabilization of the Patrimonuim Petri and the kingdom of Sicily is mirrored in the letters, papal involvement in Sardinia remains unsuccessful, and a long-lasting conflict in England arises from the disputed election of the archbishop of Canterbury. Ecclesiastical lawsuits against bishops are furthering the development of proceedings in canon law. The editions commentary is both the key to the texts and the starting point for further research. Not only are places and persons mentioned in the letters identified but essential dates supplied, and the significance of their historical, political, legal and theological backgrounds also brought to the fore. Textual parallels are highlighted and Biblical quotations as well as citations from Roman and Canon law, theological, liturgical and classical texts are identified. With the pope as a medieval "global player", all of Europe (and parts of the Middle East) is under review, and the methods of several disciplines such as history, auxiliary sciences, history of canon law and theology are applied.