The Church in Western Europe from the Tenth to the Early Twelfth Century

This comprehensive survey of the history of the Church in Western Europe, as institution and spiritual body.

Gerd Tellenbach (Author), Timothy Reuter (Translated by)

9780521437110, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 25 March 1993

428 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.4 cm, 0.54 kg

"There is no book with which this one can be compared. It is more comprehensive that any existing study of comparable length and scope and, what is more, other books usually do not offer a few hours in the company of one of this century's greatest medievalists as he talks at length on the subjects that have engaged his attention and interest for more than six decades." American Historical Review

This comprehensive survey of the history of the Church in Western Europe, considers the Church both as a set of institutions and as a spiritual body. The first half concentrates on the structures of religious belief and practice in the period 900–1050; the second half concentrates on the revolutionary changes associated with the rise of the papacy to an ascended level of ruler-ship. It shows how far one can talk of a 'reform movement', and how the idea and ideal of papal monarchy became both the prisoner and the leader of those who sought for a renewal of Christian life. Tellenbach's survey is the work of a scholar who has been working in the field for over 60 years. It is characterised by the freshness and maturity of its judgments, which cut through many fashionable theories. No other work on this topic offers comparable range, depth and authority.

Translator's note
Author's preface
List of abbreviations
1. Western Christendom and its environment in the tenth and eleventh centuries
2. The church and its manifestations on earth
3. The material existence of the churches and the clergy
4. Religious life and thought
5. The beginnings of the revolution in church history
6. Gregory VII (1073–1085)
7. Continuing conflicts between established principles
8. Pope, church, and Christendom
Epilogue
Select bibliography
Index.

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