In July 2024, the Robbins Collection Research Center was delighted to welcome back prominent legal historian Emanuele Conte, former Robbins Fellow. Having also participated in various conferences, Conte is no stranger to Berkeley’s vibrant academic atmosphere. Currently a professor at the University of Roma Tre and directeur d’études at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris, he has amassed a wealth of knowledge, particularly focused on the intricate relationship between society and law during the Middle Ages, the birth of legal scholarship in the 12th century, and historiography.
Conte’s latest research offers a refreshing perspective on legal history, urging scholars to expand their lens beyond the functioning of legal norms and institutions. He argues for a broader understanding of the “textual community”— the entire society of individuals who could read and write legal texts, including those profoundly affected by legal doctrines but often excluded from historical narratives. This groundbreaking approach sheds light on the societal transformations sparked by the spread of legal scholarship in the 12th century, furnishing a more inclusive picture of legal history.
Expanding on Brian Stock’s concept of “textual communities,” Conte developed his own theory during his time at the Robbins Collection, marking a fresh contribution to the field of medieval legal scholarship. “It is in Berkeley at the Robbins Collection that I assembled all the essential tools to formulate what we can call the theory of textual communities in medieval legal scholarship,” he explained.
Conte was able to share his insights at the center’s “Access to and Interpretation of Medieval Legal Sources” conference in September, where he moderated a session on “Models of Diffusion and Transmission.” He argued against limiting the narratives of legal history to legal literature alone. Fellow participants discussed his perspectives as they pondered law as a complex phenomenon intricately woven into the fabric of social life.
Describing the Robbins Collection as a unique treasure trove for researchers, Conte praised its rare books and dedicated staff. “Robbins is a unique place to meet researchers from different countries and intellectual environments. Working in this environment is invaluable because of its excellent staff and facilities, embedded in the marvelous ecosystem of UC Berkeley’s libraries. Supporting the trailblazing work of scholars like Emanuele Conte is vital to the ongoing work of the Robbins Collection Research Center.