The Gregorian Reform led to a reframing of the role of bishops and diocesan institutions that cemented their power and ultimately permitted the construction of the great Gothic cathedrals of Europe. To mark the 800th anniversary of the Cathedral of Burgos, we propose to explore the dynamics, strategies, institutions and personnel behind the construction of the medieval diocese leading to the building of the temples we admire today. Our focus will be on the period 1150-1250, culminating as it does in the construction of the Cathedral of Burgos, but we welcome papers on other parts of Europe and set in other medieval periods that explore the following themes related to the emergence of the mature medieval diocese.

Presentation

Main Topics

Territorial consolidation: diocesan borders, inter-diocesan hierarchies and conflicts. 

Structural consolidation: network of parishes, fiscality, ecclesiastical offices and benefices. 

Institutional consolidation: cathedral chapters, use of archdeaconries, archpriesthoods and secular abbeys. 

Intra-diocesan conflict: monasteries, collegial churches etc. 

The agents: bishops, chapter, clergy (bishop-chapter conflict, patronage and client networks, diocesan reforms, education, cultural production). 

Submission Guidelines

Submissions: proposals no longer than 300 words for either individual papers or panels should be submitted

by August 1st

to burgensis2020@gmail.com 

Languages: Spanish, English Registration Fee: 50 euros 

Key Dates

Deadline for submissions, August 1st 

Confirmation of acceptance, September 15th 

Registration opens, October 1st 

Registration ends, November 30th 

Venue: Facultad de Humanidades, Universidad de Burgos 

Convenors: Susana Guijarro (Univ. Cantabria), David Peterson (Univ. Burgos) 

Organizing Committee

Organised by: Área de Historia Medieval (Univ. de Burgos) & Grupo de I+D de la Universidad Cantabria Cultura, Sociedad y Poder en la Castilla Medieval y Moderna. 

Further information: http://www3.ubu.es/dioceses