The Apocalypse in the Early Middle Ages

This book surveys the role of religious ideas and apocalyptic thought in shaping medieval society in Western Europe.

James Palmer (Author)

9781107085442, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 November 2014

270 pages, 7 b/w illus. 2 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.53 kg

'It has been said that only two things are necessary in life: paying taxes and dying. … Palmer has made a significant contribution to our understanding of early medieval Europe and the emergence of Christendom, one that should be seriously considered by all medievalists. … For scholars, the early Middle Ages will never look the same. For this, we owe Palmer our gratitude.' Eric Leland Saak, Augustiniana

This groundbreaking study reveals the distinctive impact of apocalyptic ideas about time, evil and power on church and society in the Latin West, c.400–c.1050. Drawing on evidence from late antiquity, the Frankish kingdoms, Anglo-Saxon England, Spain and Byzantium and sociological models, James Palmer shows that apocalyptic thought was a more powerful part of mainstream political ideologies and religious reform than many historians believe. Moving beyond the standard 'Terrors of the Year 1000', The Apocalypse in the Early Middle Ages opens up broader perspectives on heresy, the Antichrist and Last World Emperor legends, chronography, and the relationship between eschatology and apocalypticism. In the process, it offers reassessments of the worlds of Augustine, Gregory of Tours, Bede, Charlemagne and the Ottonians, providing a wide-ranging and up-to-date survey of medieval apocalyptic thought. This is the first full-length English-language treatment of a fundamental and controversial part of medieval religion and society.

Introduction: how the world ends
1. The end of civilisation: c.AD 380–c.AD 575
2. The new urgency: c.AD 550–c.AD 604
3. The ends of time and space: c.AD 600–c.AD 735
4. Pseudo-Methodius and the problem of evil: c.AD 680–c.AD 800
5. Charlemagne, Pater Europae: c.AD 750–c.AD 820
6. A golden age in danger c.AD 820–c.AD 911
7. The year 1000 and other apocalypticisms: c.AD 911–c.AD 1033
The end: c.AD 400–c.AD 1033
Select bibliography
Index of manuscript references
General index.

Subject Areas: Church history [HRCC2], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]