Kingship and Law in the Middle Ages

Exploring the evolution of constitutional law, this study delves into the critical debate of the ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth centuries regarding the supremacy of rights—those of the ruler versus the people. Kern traces the roots of this enduring conflict to church doctrine and the early German states, illustrating how their interplay shaped new perspectives on governance. The work highlights the foundational influences that contributed to the development of both absolutist and constitutional theories, marking its significance in legal history.