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From: [log in to unmask][SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 11 June 1997 11:58
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Innocent III Conference: news...news...
Dear Jessalynn (and Brenda, if you're lurking),
For those of us who were unable to attend the Innocentian event of the
year, please do tell us about the conference which you were fortunate
enough to attend; was it thrilling? what went on? did the talks (yours
aside!) live up to their titles? any splendid indiscretions? academic
gossip? Share all of this amongst your virtual colleagues.
Gary Dickson
University of Edinburgh
Dear Gary,
I have been lurking (and waiting to see if Jessalyn would speak). I am after all, biased and she may have quite a different view. The Pope Innocent III and His World Conference, masterminded by Jack Moore and assisted by Lin Thorn, 1-3 May on the Hofstra (Long Island) campus, was splendid. Jim Powell, Connie Rousseau and I helped out but it was all done by Jack and Lin. Three whole days of non-stop Innocent III in the presence of about 60 devotees, one quarter to one third from Europe and Israel, the rest from North America - even as far as California! Some aspects were particularly pleasant. Several eminent scholars came, some to give papers but others just to be there and that was very much appreciated. There were lots of young people (including Jessalyn) and they had the chance to give their papers and discuss them. I enjoyed putting faces to names whose works I had read (Phyllis Roberts) and renewing acquaintances from the Tenth Canon Law Conference at Syracuse last August (Ken, Tom and many others). Most participants stayed most of the time and, as in all good conferences, I believe that some of them spent some time in deep discussion at the bar! The Hofstra drama students put on a really excellent Nicolette and Aucassin to the great and evident enjoyment of all who saw it. I hadn't laughed so much in ages.
Main papers were given by Leonard Boyle, Ed Peters, Robert Chazan and me - mostly along the lines that there is more to the spiritual side of Innocent than has hitherto been realised. The range of communications was really impressive - from the Holy Land to the Baltic via Ireland, Iberia, France and the Empire. We are hoping to publish the papers which form a coherent whole - even in time for the 800th Anniversary in 1998.
Speaking of which, I'd like to announce that there will be a conference in Rome 10-15 September 1998 to celebrate the accession of Innocent. The location seems likely to be LUMSA - the Università Maria Assunta, just off Via della Conciliazione and right in front of St Peters. It will be a collaborative venture between several Italian academic institutions, some of the Academies in Rome (Austrian, French, German,Dutch, American and British at least), members of the 'Hofstra' group and interested others. It will incorporate the Società Romana di Storia Patria's convegno on "Innocenzo III, Roma e lo Stato Pontificio" (probably three half days) and will be followed immediately by the Trinitarian congress 16-19 September on "La liberazione dei "Captivi" tra Cristianità e Islam". Suggestions etc are welcome.
I will send out details as soon as we have a programme. My e-mail is [log in to unmask] which gets to me at home.
As you pointed out, many on the List were at Hofstra and perhaps Michael Goodich or Tom or anyone else would like to comment or correct anything that they disagree with.
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