Between Opposition and Collaboration — Nobles, Bishops, and the German Reformations in the Prince-bishopric of Bamberg, 1555-1619

In this well-researched study, the makeup and administration of the powerful cathedral chapter in the early modern city of Bamberg is described with attention to the noble affiliations of the members, the routine practice of sending Lutheran noble boys to be educated and serve at the (Catholic) cathedral chapter, the complex and changing relationship of the prince-bishop and imperial knights, and the reasons and actual practice of sharing power between Catholic and Lutheran nobles. The twin issues of religion and power are tracked, as Ninness (Touro College, NY) traces the history of the imperial knights, individual instances of religious division and controversy, and the steps taken between the knights and prince-bishop regarding religious practice. Ninness adapted this study from his doctoral dissertation (at U. of Pennsylvania). Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Richard J. Ninness, Ph.D. (2006) in History, University of Pennsylvania, is Assistant Professor at Touro College in New York City.