Western Society and the Church in the Middle AgesThe concept of an ordered human society, both religious and secular, as an expression of a divinely ordered universe was central to medieval thought. In the West the political and religious community were inextricably bound together, and because the Church was so intimately involved with the world, any history of it must take into account the development of medieval society. Professor Southern's book covers the period from the eighth to the sixteenth century. After sketching the main features of each medieval age, he deals in greater detail with the Papacy, the relations between Rome and her rival Constantinople, the bishops and archbishops, and the various religious orders, providing in all a superb history of the period. |
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A. G. Little abbey abbot activity appointments archbishop Augustinian canons became beguines Benedictine Benedictine Order benefices bishops Bologna Boniface brethren canon law cardinals Carolingian Christ Christendom Christian Cistercian claims clergy clerk Constantinople Council Deventer diocese discipline documents Dominicans earlier early effective election eleventh century England episcopal Europe foundation fourteenth century Franciscan friars Greek Gregory Groote Groote's growth hundred ibid ideal important Innocent Italy king laity later Middle Ages Latin legates letters live Matthew Paris medieval medieval church ment Middle Ages monasteries monastic monks movement never obedience organization papacy papal authority papal court period political pope pope's practical religion religious Orders Roman Rome royal Rule of St secular rulers social society spiritual St Benedict St Peter success survived thirteenth century thought tion towns twelfth century unity universal urban West western whole women