Rank and Order

The Formation of Aristocratic Elites in Western and Central Europe, 500-1500

by Jorg Peltzer

Book cover: Rank and Order

Extent: 376 pages

Publisher: Jan Thorbecke Verlag

Subjects: Medieval Studies

Series: RANK. Politisch-soziale Ordnungen im mittelalterlichen Europa

Series volume number: 4

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(September 2015)

ISBN: 9783799591249

Price: $58.00

In stock

In an interdisciplinary approach, scholars from England, Germany and France representing the fields of history, art history, archaeology and ethnology analyze how rank developed in Medieval Europe between 500 and 1500. In a total of fourteen contributions, the factors that constituted aristocratic rank and how such rank was communicated are discussed. Focusing on the Carolingian Empire, England, France and the Holy Roman Empire, the essays also provide some insights into regional variations concerning the definition of rank across the centuries. English, French, and German text.


This volume is the outcome of the concluding final conference of the research project RANK. In an interdisciplinary approach, scholars from England, Germany and France representing the fields of history, art history, archaeology and ethnology analyse how rank developed in Medieval Europe between 500 and 1500. In a total of fourteen contributions, the factors that constituted aristocratic rank and how such rank was communicated are discussed. Focusing on the Carolingian Empire, England, France and the Holy Roman Empire, the essays also provide some insights into regional variations concerning the definition of rank across the centuries.

  • By (author) Jorg Peltzer