The King's Two Bodies

Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: "The King's Two Bodies," decades after its publication, is still one of the definitive works on political theology relating to kingship during the middle ages. The level of research and investigation Kantorowicz shows in this volume is truly impressive. If one wants to have a good understanding of some of the issues and developments regarding the place of the king, the idea of law, and so forth, this is a volume to read.

If there is any problem with the work, it may be its dryness. At times, it is quite easy for the text to blur in front of one's eyes as Kantorowicz delves into a (necessary) digression on a term or idea. However, this is not a fair critique - considering the type of analysis he is doing, and the sheer breadth of sources, one shouldn't expect a light read from this volume. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in Medieval political thought/theology, or in Medieval notions of kingship.

Rating:
Summary: An astounding work of scholarship
Review: Dr. Kantorowicz has, in this book, produced a superior work of historical research. In tracing the development of this peculiar English legal theory, he has provided an excellent history of sacral kingship in medieval Christendom. I recommend it to all, particularly to Americans, so that they may better appreciate European monarchy in both its sublime and eccentric qualities.