Germania Sacra: Band 37,1 Die Bistümer der Kirchenprovinz Köln. Das Bistum Münster 7,1: Die Diözese

For the first time, Germania Sacra is able to present the complete history of a diocese from its foundation in the early Middle Ages up to its secularization. Munster is thus in the exceptional position in having the whole of a many-facetted history stretching back over a thousand years presented here. The volume presents the development of ecclesiastical rule and its administrative influence in the interplay between Bishop and Cathedral Chapter and in the relationhips and conflicts with Emperor, Pope and neighbouring princes, and thus provides an inestimable contribution to the composite history of spiritual territories in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Age. This comprehensiveness forms the particular attraction of the handbook. The author has already produced a number of volumes in the Germania Sacra series dealing with individual institutions in Munster, and was thus predestined for this work, which presents a comprehensive overview which will be of lasting significance for research in the field. The first volume contains a review of the literature and sources, together with a detailed historical overview coupled with an intensive treatment of the constitutional and administrative structures; it will be followed shortly by the second volume with biographies of the bishops. Both volumes contain separate indexes.