The Making of Europe:

400-1500
Week 8: The Holy Roman Empire

Frederick I ‘Barbarossa’
Housekeeping…
Submission dates for primary source commentaries (1000 words each)
1. Assessed Primary Source Commentary 1 (15%): Wednesday 7 March, 12 Noon (week 6)

2. Assessed Primary Source Commentary 2 (35%): Wednesday 25 April, 12 Noon (week 10)

Remember! You must do one commentary on a source from Section A, and the other on a source from
section B. (course handbook p.32)

My contact details:
 Isaac.Boothroyd@Manchester.ac.uk
 Office hour: Wednesday 1-2pm, Sam Alex S2.29
 Seminar Aims:
- To think about what constitutes ‘good’ Kingship and medieval
government
 
- To consider the Empire’s system, and if it was an example of good,
stable government
 
- To compare this system with England & France, and think about
common trends from the 11th-14th centuries
 “You don’t vote for Kings!”

What are the advantages/disadvantages of Imperial elective Kingship?

 Strong & stable?

. How powerful are the Kings

& electors under the elective
Kingship model?

. Do the sources suggest the

Empire was a stable political
unit?

. Is it in reality?

Otto of Freising Seal of the Golden Bull

 Comparisons: England, France, The Empire

Phillip II ‘Augustus’ of France

Henry II of England Frederick I of the Holy Roman Empire
What are the common trends in the way royal governments developed?

Is there a standard ‘model’ for European Kingship?