Readings in Medieval Political Theory: 1100-1400

A reprint of the Routledge edition of Medieval Political Theory, a Reader: The Quest for the Body Politic, 1100-1400.

This anthology includes writings of both well-known theorists such as Thomas Aquinas and John of Salisbury as well as those lesser known, including Christine de Pisan and Marie de France, and will be of value to students of the history of political theory as well as those of medieval intellectual history.

Contents:

Preface. Acknowledgments. Introduction. Further Reading.

PART I: The Twelfth Century

• Bernard of Clairvaux, “Letter to Pope Eugenius III” (Translated by Kate Forhan)
• Marie de France, The Fable of a Man, His Belly and His Limbs (Translated by Kate Forhan)
• John of Salisbury, Metalogicon and Policraticus (Translated by Cary Nederman)
• “Treatise on the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom of England Commonly Called Glanville” (Translated by Cary Nederman)
• Philip of Harvengt, “Letter to Henry, Count of Champagne” (Translated by Robert Ziomkowski)
• Further Reading

PART II: The Thirteenth Century

• Brunetto Latini, The Book of Treasure (Translated by Kate Forhan)
• Thomas Aquinas, On Kingship, Summary of Theology and Commentary on Aristotle’s Politics (Translated by Susan Ziller, Cary Nederman and Kate Forhan)
• Giles of Rome, “On Civil Government” (Translated by Kate Forhan)
• Further Reading.

PART III: The Fourteenth Century

• John of Paris, On Royal and Papal Power (Translated by Cary Nederman)
• Dante Alighieri, The Banquet (Translated by Kate Forhan)
• Marsilio of Padua, The Defender of Peace (Translated by Cary Nederman)
• William of Pagula, The Mirror of King Edward III (Translated by Cary Nederman)
• William of Ockham, “Whether a Ruler Can Accept the Property of Churches for his Own Needs, namely, in Case of War, even against the Wishs of the Pope” (Translated by Cary Nederman)
• John Wyclif, On the Duty of the King (Translated by Cary Nederman)
• Christine de Pisan, The Book of the Body Politic (Translated by Kate Forhan)
• Further Reading. Name index. Subject index.

About the Authors:

Cary J. Nederman is Professor of Political Science, Texas A&M University

Kate Langdon Forhan is Professor of Political Science, Siena College, New York.