Adelaide of Turin (c.1014/24-1091) : imperial politics and regional power in eleventh-century northern Italy
Recent scholarship emphasises that the exercise of political power by royal and aristocratic medieval women was commonplace. Building upon this work, my thesis examines the life of Adelaide of Turin (c.1014/24-1091), who inherited, and ruled, the mark of Turin. Her importance has often been overlooked however, particularly in Anglophone historiography. Older scholarship tends to focus on Adelaide in terms of her connection with the Savoyard dynasty (who later became kings of Italy), or on the rise of regional states. These traditional histories do not take account of the central issues with which I am concerned: gender and cultures of power. In focusing on Adelaide â and gender â my thesis illuminates wider issues, relating to the exercise of power in the eleventh century, as well as to imperial politics, and religious change. Part I of the thesis considers Adelaideâs role in dynastic and imperial politics. Particular attention is paid to Adelaideâs acquisition and maintenance of power, and to the marital alliances forged between Adelaideâs dynasty and the imperial family. Through focusing on Adelaide key political events are reassessed, including two crises in the reign of her son-in-law, Henry
Creber, Alison Madeleine
Adelaide of Turin (c.1014/24-1091) : imperial politics and regional power in eleventh-century northern Italy. Recent scholarship emphasises that the exercise of political power by royal and aristocratic medieval women was commonplace. Building upon this work, my thesis examines the life of Adelaide of Turin (c.1014/24-1091), who inherited, and ruled, the mark of Turin. Her importance has often been overlooked however, particularly in Anglophone historiography. Older scholarship tends to focus on Adelaide in terms of her connection with the Savoyard dynasty (who later became kings of Italy), or on the rise of regional states. These traditional histories do not take account of the central issues with which I am concerned: gender and cultures of power. In focusing on Adelaide â and gender â my thesis illuminates wider issues, relating to the exercise of power in the eleventh century, as well as to imperial politics, and religious change. Part I of the thesis considers Adelaideâs role in dynastic and imperial politics. Particular attention is paid to Adelaideâs acquisition and maintenance of power, and to the marital alliances forged between Adelaideâs dynasty and the imperial family. Through focusing on Adelaide key political events are reassessed, including two crises in the reign of her son-in-law, Henry
imperial politics regional power eleventh_century northern_italy recent_scholarship emphasise exercise political_power royal aristocratic medieval woman commonplace building_upon work examines life inherit rule mark importance often_overlook however particularly anglophone historiography older scholarship tend_focus term connection dynasty later_become king italy rise regional state traditional history take_account central_issue concern gender culture power focus gender illuminates wider issue_relate exercise_power well imperial politics religious_change part_considers role dynastic imperial politics particular_attention_pay acquisition maintenance power marital alliance forge dynasty imperial_family focus key political_event reassess include crisis reign son law henry