Pope Innocent III (1160/61-1216): To Root Up and to Plant

Thank goodness that John C. Moore's biography of Pope Innocent III is finally available in an affordable format. His clarity of language, nuanced analysis, and evident mastery of both the sources and the wealth of studies devoted to this pope, whose pontificate was a major watershed in Western history, make Moore's study a 'must have' addition to the library of every medieval student and scholar. - Alfred J. Andrea, University of Vermont Moore's analysis of Innocent's pontificate operates on two levels: he explains the papal approach towards events according to their theological background, which is recorded by his sermons, and he constantly examines the facts, as they are recorded in the papal registers.... In his conclusions, Moore depicts Innocent as 'fluctuating' between the signs of God and his papal leadership. Thus Innocent 'expanded the theoretical rights and the actual power of the papacy as he inherited it, and he passed it on to his successors to expand even further.' - Journal of Ecclesiastical History Moore makes a self-consciously bold choice by deciding to abandon the prevailing thematic approach to Innocent and instead to organize his material chronologically.... Generously quoting from Innocent's pre-papal works, papal sermons, and, above all, papal letters, Moore allows his subject the chance to speak for himself.... Moore's prose is eminently readable.... Inherently complex matters of papal diplomacy and relations with troublesome Christian kings are lucidly explained. - Speculum