Three Studies in Medieval Religious and Social Thought
The Interpretation of Mary and Martha, the Ideal of the Imitation of Christ, the Orders of Society

A paperback edition of Constable's superlative account of changes in religious thought and institutions.

Giles Constable (Author)

9780521305150, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 April 1995

444 pages, 30 b/w illus.
23.4 x 15.6 x 2.5 cm, 0.8 kg

'… a work of great maturity and sophistication … to which students of twelfth-century religious life will turn again and again with fresh appreciation each time of its richness and wisdom … These studies will become foundational for future scholars of medieval religious life, and therefore merit careful, engaged reading - the highest mark of scholarly achievement.' John Van Engen, Journal of Eccclesiastical History

This volume concentrates on the changes in religious thought and institutions in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and includes not only monks and nuns but also less organised types of life such as hermits, recluses, crusaders, and penitents. It is complimentary to Professor Constable's subsequent book, The Reformation of the Twelfth Century (now also published as a paperback), but is dissimilar to it in examining three themes over a long period, from late Antiquity to the seventeenth century, in order to show how they changed over time.

List of illustrations
Preface
List of abbreviations
Part I. The Interpretation of Mary and Martha: 1. The sisters together
2. The sisters distinguished
3. The sisters apart
Part II. The Ideal of the Imitation of Christ: 4. The imitation of the divinity of Christ
5. The imitation of the humanity of Christ
6. The imitation of the body of Christ
7. The late Middle Ages
Part III. The Orders of Society: 8. Introduction
9. The early Middle Ages
10. The eleventh and twelfth centuries
11. From the twelfth century to the end of the Middle Ages
12. Appendix: mediocres (mediani, medii) in the Middle Ages
Bibliography of secondary works
Index of manuscripts
Biblical index
General index.

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