Extra ecclesiam Medieval Papacy and the Frontiers of Christendom

Modern historiography has redefined the distinction between “borders” and “frontiers”, portraying the latter as fluid spaces shaped by interaction rather than fixed boundaries. This raises a key question for the medieval Papacy, whose identity was grounded in universalist claims: how did an institution aspiring to universality engage with fragmented frontier zones? This collected volume examines frontiers as products of the papacy’s encounter with “otherness,” , analysing processes of evangelisation and institutionalisation, the actors and strategies involved, and the mutual influence between the Apostolic See and frontier societies. It offers a broad overview of papal responses to the diverse frontiers of medieval Christendom.