John Freed is distinguished professor of history emeritus, Illinois State University, and the author of four previous books. He lives in Bloomington, IL.
“Freed has done so much to illuminate the ins and out of German
politics in the late 12th century, ensuring that his book will be a
constant point of reference for scholars.”—David Abulafia, History
Today
“Crafting an erudite biography on Frederick Barbarossa is no easy
task, but Freed offers a comprehensive account of Frederick’s
reign, rich in historical detail, that is suitable for scholars,
students, and the general reader alike. This may be the go-to work
on Frederick Barbarossa in English for quite some time
yet.”—Stephen Donnachie, Royal Studies Journal
‘John Freed's Frederick Barbarossa is a monumental achievement. Not
only is it the first serious biography in English of one
of the most fascinating and important individuals of the
European Middle Ages. It also offers a thoughtful, lucid and
immensely readable way into the environment and society from
which Barbarossa emerged, and of the challenges and
opportunities to be faced in writing about the wonderful world
of the first Staufen emperor. We owe John Freed a collective
debt of gratitude not only for having braced and mastered
these challenges so magisterially, but also for the enjoyment and
instruction that his book brings. It will teach experts much they
did not know or had not thought about, but it will
equally appeal to anyone interested in one of the most
transformative periods in the history of medieval Europe.’ – Björn
Weiler, author of Kingship, Rebellion and Political Culture:
England and Germany, c.1215–c.1250
‘John Freed has written a truly monumental biography, which will
remain unchallenged as the authoritative account of Barbarossa for
a long time to come. Rooted in a comprehensive command of the
medieval sources and enriched by Freed’s profound understanding of
twelfth-century aristocratic politics and society, this book
reveals a Barbarossa stripped at last of many centuries of
accumulated myth: as prince, dynast and warlord. Students of
medieval history have waited a long time for a fully satisfactory
treatment of one of the twelfth century’s most dazzling and complex
personalities. With this brilliant and deeply learned book, their
wait is over.’ - Len Scales, author of The Shaping of
German Identity: Authority and Crisis, 1245–1414
“John Freed’s biography is the first in English for half a century.
A 700-page doorstopper, this impressive, learned book certainly
makes amends for this previously serious oversight… Thanks to
Freed’s scholarly but highly readable biography, this pragmatic
Teutonic Arthur might finally gain greater renown beyond
Germany.”—Sean McGlynn, Spectator
*Spectator*
“Freed’s book is certainly a cause for celebration and will be a
lasting resource… gives us a compelling, readable and very
well-informed narrative of Frederick’s thirty-eight reign, that
made him —with Henry II of England, Louis VII of France and Manuel
I of Byzantium — one of the leading political personalities of
Europe.”—Mark Whittow, TLS
*TLS*
“Freed has done so much to illuminate the ins and out of German
politics in the late 12th century, ensuring that his book will be a
constant point of reference for scholars.”—David Abulafia, History
Today
*History Today*
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