King Reccared’s Political Aspirations
“The Third Council of Toledo” is a decree composed of canons King Reccared had developed prior to his conversion to catholicism. He intended to have the bishops implement, standardize, and enforce these principles in order to unify the kingdoms’ religious practice. Through the enforcement and widespread adoption of these canons and unification of the kingdoms’ religious beliefs, with the help of persuasion, appeal, and fear, King Reccared aspires to gain greater political power.
King Reccared gathered the council seeking the bishops’ approval of the canons he wanted adopted throughout his kingdom. The bishops enforce the laws created by the king and inviting them to establish these canons with him was the equivalent of informing the bishops that they were to approve of the enactment of the decrees, yet without the harshness of doing so. The King “joined himself to the oration of the bishops of God” to let them know that “God has given them charge of the kingdom” (pg. 50). This shows that although the King could have merely told them what it was that he wanted them to do, he would rather persuade them into agreement with what he believed was …show more content…
He convinces the bishops of this through the explanation that with the implementation of these canons they would “exult in the Lord.. for the renewal of the Gothic people” and for the “restoration of ecclesiastical discipline” (pg. 49). Together they would “eliminate the heresy… [and] repair the institutions of the customs of the church” (pg. 50). The King announces to the bishops that “approved by the judgment of council and decorated with this testimony of faith, [their] glory shall shine throughout all times to come” (pg. 50). This strengthens the alliance between the King and his bishops, who will ensure the implementation of the King’s
“The Third Council of Toledo” is a decree composed of canons King Reccared had developed prior to his conversion to catholicism. He intended to have the bishops implement, standardize, and enforce these principles in order to unify the kingdoms’ religious practice. Through the enforcement and widespread adoption of these canons and unification of the kingdoms’ religious beliefs, with the help of persuasion, appeal, and fear, King Reccared aspires to gain greater political power.
King Reccared gathered the council seeking the bishops’ approval of the canons he wanted adopted throughout his kingdom. The bishops enforce the laws created by the king and inviting them to establish these canons with him was the equivalent of informing the bishops that they were to approve of the enactment of the decrees, yet without the harshness of doing so. The King “joined himself to the oration of the bishops of God” to let them know that “God has given them charge of the kingdom” (pg. 50). This shows that although the King could have merely told them what it was that he wanted them to do, he would rather persuade them into agreement with what he believed was …show more content…
He convinces the bishops of this through the explanation that with the implementation of these canons they would “exult in the Lord.. for the renewal of the Gothic people” and for the “restoration of ecclesiastical discipline” (pg. 49). Together they would “eliminate the heresy… [and] repair the institutions of the customs of the church” (pg. 50). The King announces to the bishops that “approved by the judgment of council and decorated with this testimony of faith, [their] glory shall shine throughout all times to come” (pg. 50). This strengthens the alliance between the King and his bishops, who will ensure the implementation of the King’s