The Deeds of Pope Innocent III

The Deeds of Pope Innocent III, composed before 1210 by an anonymous member of the papal curia, provides a unique window into the activities, policies, and strategies of the papacy and the curia during one of the most important periods in the history of the medieval church. Innocent III, who became pope in 1198 and reigned until 1216, has long been regarded as one of the most important popes in history.

This partial biography covering the first ten years of Innocent’s pontificate was written by a cleric close to the pope and familiar with the curia. The translator, James M. Powell, suggests that it was written by the canonist and later cardinal Peter of Benevento. Peter had a profound knowledge of southern Italy and closely followed Innocent’s efforts to unify the churches of the East and West and to promote the crusade.

Though the discussion of Roman politics found in these pages is one of the most valuable sources available to us, the work has long been neglected and only recently has begun to receive the attention it deserves. Never before has it been translated into any modern language. It is a treasure of contemporary letters, arranged by the author to reinforce his interpretation of the events discussed. The results are new insights that will inspire both students and scholars.

The translator provides an engaging introduction and adds numerous explanatory notes throughout the book. Those who seek a fuller understanding of the development of the papacy during a period of great change in medieval religious history will find this work essential. Praise for the book: "The world of Innocent III studies has been begging for ages for a full translation of the Gesta Innocentii III. Until now, no one had the courage, tenacity, and breadth of learning to undertake the entire text. Powell delivers a text that will be of great value for students and scholars for decades to come."—Alfred Andrea, Professor Emeritus of History, The University of Vermont "James Powell’s translation of the Gesta of Innocent III makes the most important document in medieval papal biography available for the first time in an accurate and readable English translation, gracefully introduced and amply annotated. Powell draws creatively on the most recent scholarship in all relevant languages. It is essential reading, not only for the study of Innocent, but also for papal history in one of its key moments, the pontificate of a young, vigorous, learned, and devout pope which came at the end of a century of intense development of the papal office and a combination of contemporary circumstances that challenged the authority of that office at every turn. There is no more direct evidence of Innocent’s thought and actions than the Gesta, and the world of scholarship owes Powell a considerable debt for having made it so widely available for teachers and students alike."--Edward Peters, University of Pennsylvania

James M. Powell is Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at Syracuse University. He is the author or editor of twelve books and has published numerous articles. His most recent books include Tolerance and Intolerance: Social Conflict in the Age of the Crusades and Innocent III: Vicar of Christ or Lord of the World? (CUA Press, 1994).