The Cambridge History of Christianity

This History offers a wide-ranging overview of the rich and varied life of medieval European Christians and their institutions.

Miri Rubin (Edited by), Walter Simons (Edited by)

9781107423664, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 July 2014

600 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.4 cm, 0.87 kg

"...inspires awe....enormous diversity of of excellent scholars....stands out from rivals by its sheer scale....provide an effective structure....identification and development of themes is thoroughly successful....deeply impressive..." --Philip Jenkins

During the early middle ages, Europe developed complex and varied Christian cultures, and from about 1100 secular rulers, competing factions and inspired individuals continued to engender a diverse and ever-changing mix within Christian society. This volume explores the wide range of institutions, practices and experiences associated with the life of European Christians in the later middle ages. The clergy of this period initiated new approaches to the role of priests, bishops and popes, and developed an ambitious project to instruct the laity. For lay people, the practices of parish religion were central, but many sought additional ways to enrich their lives as Christians. Impulses towards reform and renewal periodically swept across Europe, led by charismatic preachers and supported by secular rulers. This book provides accessible accounts of these complex historical processes and entices the reader towards further enquiry.

Introduction
Part I. Intimations of Change, 1100–1200: 1. Clerical purity and the re-ordered world Henrietta Leyser
2. The Bishops of Rome, 1100–1300 Anthony Perron
3. Religious poverty and the search for perfection Beverly Mayne Kienzle
4. Monastic and religious orders, c.1100–c.1350 Brian Patrick McGuire
Part II. Forging a Christian World, 1200–1300: 5. The theological framework, 1200–1300 Lesley Smith
6. The legal underpinnings, c.1050–c.1300 Anders Winroth
7. The material support, 1200–1300 Brigitte Resl
8. Material support 1200–1300: the monastic and religious orders Janet Burton
9. The Word and its diffusion Katherine Jansen
Part III. The Erection of Essential Boundaries: 10. The erection of essential boundaries: Christians and Jews Ora Limor
11. Christendom and Islam David Nirenberg
12. Christians and heretics Peter Biller
13. Women and men Megan McLaughlin
14. Heaven, hell, and purgatory: 1100–1500 Alan E. Bernstein
Part IV. Shapes of a Christian World: 15. Sacramental life Miri Rubin
16. Religious soundscapes: liturgy and music Susan Boynton
17. Images in the world: reading the crucifixion Sara Lipton
18. Mary Rachel Fulton
19. Mysticism and transcendence Amy Hollywood
Part V. Transience: 20. On the margins of religious life: hermits and recluses, penitents and tertiaries, beguines and beghards Walter Simons
21. Saints and pilgrimages: new and old (1100–1500) André Vauchez
22. Crusade and conquest Marcus Bull
Part VI. The Challenges to a Christian Society: 23. Repression and power John Arnold
24. Faith and the intellectuals (I) Joseph Ziegler
25. Faith and the intellectuals (II) Michael Stolz
Part VII. Reform and Renewal: 26. Empowerment through reading, writing and example: the Devotio Modern Koen Goudriaan
27. The invasion of demons in the Christian community Alain Boureau
28. Wycliffism and Lollardy Kantik Ghosh
29. Observant reform in the late medieval religious orders Bert Roest
30. Public purity and discipline: states and religious renewal Roberto Rusconi
31. The Bible in the fifteenth century Christopher Ocker.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM], Church history [HRCC2], Medieval history [HBLC1], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]