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How did the revival of Roman law influence Frederick Iās view of imperial power?
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Frederick I
Frederick I as a Crusader with (right) Henry of SchƤftlarn dedicating to him a copy of the History of the First Crusade by Robert of St. Remy; miniature from a manuscript in the Vatican Library.
The revival of Roman law in the 12th century provided Frederick I (Barbarossa) with a vital intellectual framework to justify and elevate imperial authority. As he faced challenges from the papacy and sought to define his role, Frederick utilized these legal principles to move away from the traditional reliance on church-based legitimacy.12
Key influences on his view of imperial power included:
- Justification of Authority: Frederick became increasingly conscious of Roman law as a source to validate imperial actions. He used it to counter the arguments of church lawyers, asserting that his power was derived from God and the election of the princes, rather than through papal conferment.123
- Institutional Development: By supporting law schools at the University of Bologna and issuing the "Authentica Habita" (c. 1155), he fostered a legal environment that favored centralized, uniform administration over fragmented customary arrangements.1
- Constitutional Statements: At the Diet of Roncaglia, Frederick employed Roman law to define royal regalia (rights), creating a more exalted and clearly defined conception of the empire.13
- Imperial Identity: This legal shift supported his vision of the Sacrum Imperium (Holy Empire), emphasizing a secular, universal authority that stood as a direct counterbalance to the Sancta Ecclesia (Holy Church).2