The Cambridge History of Medieval Canon Law

This book explores all aspects of medieval canon law.

Anders Winroth (Edited by), John C. Wei (Edited by)

9781107025042, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 January 2022

638 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 3.4 cm, 1.11 kg

Canon law touched nearly every aspect of medieval society, including many issues we now think of as purely secular. It regulated marriages, oaths, usury, sorcery, heresy, university life, penance, just war, court procedure, and Christian relations with religious minorities. Canon law also regulated the clergy and the Church, one of the most important institutions in the Middle Ages. This Cambridge History offers a comprehensive survey of canon law, both chronologically and thematically. Written by an international team of scholars, it explores, in non-technical language, how it operated in the daily life of people and in the great political events of the time. The volume demonstrates that medieval canon law holds a unique position in the legal history of Europe. Indeed, the influence of medieval canon law, which was at the forefront of introducing and defining concepts such as 'equity,' 'rationality,' 'office,' and 'positive law,' has been enormous, long-lasting, and remarkably diverse.

1. Medieval canon law: introduction John C. Wei and Anders Winroth
Part I. The History of Medieval Canon Law: 2. The early church Caroline Humfress
3. Early medieval canon law Abigail Firey
4. Canon law in the long tenth century, 900–1050 Greta Austin
5. The age of reforms: canon law in the century before Gratian Christof Rolker
6. The reinvention of canon law in the high middle ages Wolfgang P. Mueller
7. Canon law in a time of renewal, 1130–1234 Anders Winroth
8. The late middle ages: introduction
four remarks regarding the present state of research Martin Bertram
9. The late middle ages: sources Andreas Meyer
10. The canon law of the Eastern churches Péter Erd?
Part II. The Sources and Dissemination of Medieval Canon Law: 11. Theology and the theological sources of canon law John C. Wei
12. Church councils Norman Tanner
13. Decretals and lawmaking Gisela Drossbach
14. Roman law Gero Dolezalek
15. Law schools and legal education Anders Winroth
16. Local knowledge of canon law, c. 1150–1250 Anthony Perron
17. Medieval canon law manuscripts and early printed books Susan L'Engle
Part III. Doctrine and Society: 18. Procedures and courts Wolfgang P. Mueller
19. Ecclesiastical property, tithes, spiritualia Charles de Miramon
20. The law of benefices Andreas Meyer
21. Religious life Elizabeth Makowski
22. The sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist Thomas M. Izbicki
23. Confession, penance, and extreme unction Rob Meens
24. Saints and relics Thomas Wetzstein
25. Marriage: law and practice Sara McDougall
26. Family law Franck Roumy
27. Criminal law Lotte Kéry
28. Ecclesiastical discipline: heresy, magic, and superstition Edward Peters
29. Wars and crusades Frederick Russell and Ryan Greenwood
30. Excommunication and interdict Peter G. Clarke
Conclusion
31. The spirit of canon law Peter Landau
32. Bibliography of primary sources Thomas Izbicki and Anders Winroth.

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