Conciliarism and Heresy in Fifteenth-Century England: Collective Authority in the Age of the General Councils

Alexander Russell (University of Warwick)

Conciliarism and Heresy in Fifteenth-Century England: Collective Authority in the Age of the General Councils
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Country
United Kingdom
Published
10 July 2017
Pages
232
ISBN
9781107172272

Conciliarism and Heresy in Fifteenth-Century England: Collective Authority in the Age of the General Councils

Alexander Russell (University of Warwick)

The general councils of the fifteenth century constituted a remarkable political experiment, which used collective decision-making to tackle important problems facing the church. Such problems had hitherto received rigid top-down management from Rome. However, at Constance and Basle, they were debated by delegates of different ranks from across Europe and resolved through majority voting. Fusing the history of political thought with the study of institutional practices, this innovative study relates the procedural innovations of the general councils and their anti-heretical activities to wider trends in corporate politics, intellectual culture and pastoral reform. Alexander Russell argues that the acceptance of collective decision-making at the councils was predicated upon the prevalence of group participation and deliberation in small-scale corporate culture. Conciliarism and Heresy in Fifteenth-Century England offers a fundamental reassessment of England’s relationship with the general councils, revealing how political thought, heresy, and collective politics were connected.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.