The Popes and the Papacy in the Early Middle Ages (Routledge Revivals)

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The study challenges the prevailing ideological perspective of the early medieval papacy, particularly the notion of a papal monarchy. Jeffrey Richards argues that the growth of papal power and responsibility occurred through a series of historical accidents rather than a deliberate, cohesive plan. First published in 1979, this work reexamines the complexities of papal authority during this period, offering a nuanced understanding of its evolution.