Power and history in Bulgaria at the end of the 12th and during the 13th century

Abstract

This study aims to represent the campaign the members of the Assenid dynasty launched when they started a movement for the restoration and, subsequently the consolidation of the Bulgarian kingdom that was expected to achieve interaction between power and history. The process started in the late 12th century, continued during the 13th century, and culminated in 1235 with the restoration of the Bulgarian patriarchy, thanks to the tsar Ivan Assen II (1218-1231). The analysis pays close attention to the two major trends which show the aforementioned interaction: the share of historical records in the propaganda the Assenids conducted in support of their newly-won power and the prominence Bulgarian historiography enjoyed during the same period.

Keywords

• power
• history
• propaganda
• the idea of "Turnovo - New Constantinople"