Jonas of Orleans, mirror for princes: the beginning of medieval political philosophy

Abstract

In the 8th century we find Jonas of Orléans at Charlemagne’s court, where he will live the expansion of the Carolingian empire and the expansion of Christianism at the same. He will compile in his books De Institutione Laicali and De Institutione Regia his teachings about how to be a proper Christian. As Bishop of Orléans he played an important role in all political, economic, moral and religious affairs. In his book De Institutione Regia, which is addressed to the son of Louis the Pious, Pippin of Aquitaine, Jonas of Orléans discusses the behavior of the Carolingian princes and how they should act in order to hold the power. His work conforms to what is known as mirrors for princes. The Bishop of Orléans as a man of his time and, in this work, we believe that we can find the foundations of what will be High Medieval Political Philosophy.

Keywords: Jonas of Orléans, Louis the Pious, political philosophy, mirrors for princes.