Analysis Of 'Deeds Of Innocent III'

Anecdotes fill the pages of the Gesta at pains to illustrate how Innocent was a quick-witted and adept negotiator and leader. Often these stories, such as dealings with Conrad of Hildesheim are utilised to increase the liveliness of his reporting. The case of Conrad in particular shows how Innocent was supposedly wielded excommunication as the weapon of his papacy. It appears that whenever in doubt, Innocent had a method of dealing with the unruly or the insubordinate; namely, that he denied them their title, lands and religious exemptions and when they come to him pleading for salvation and reinstatement he would declare, very publicly, that we would not go back on the edicts of his church and remove the excommunication. Indeed, it appears
It was written as a piece of justicative writing, a prose geste directed to a local audience in the Patrimony to show Innocent as a strong and powerful ruler. It may aim to laud positive attributes to Innocent at every possible point but it is not simply sycophantic in its praisal of the Pontiff, it presents an accurate, carefully structured thematic approach to interpreting the tumultuous opening decade of the reign of Lothario de’Conti. Since returning to favour in academic scholarship it has revealed, unthinkingly, the processes of political power carried that were necessary and effective within thirteenth-century Rome. Anyone who sought to have an impact on the European stage had to be filtered through the Curia and Innocent’s word was final. He came to his pontificate with many preconceived ideas about the papacy and what should be expected of him and his domain and he achieved almost everything through careful and considered planning, direct action while avoiding open conflict and ruthless determination. The “Deeds of Innocent III” have been invaluable in connecting the dots to one of the most active and revolutionary pontiffs in history and how he managed to stamp his rule onto the