Author Description

A primary source reader of 100 selections that addresses medieval Christendom in the context of world history. It combines the traditional material (from medieval church hierarchical and theological documents) with the newer material of cultural studies -- diversity within European Christianity (women mystics, heretics, and popular religion), and diversity without (non-European Christianity and relations with Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism). Each chapter offers -- a central theme and a chapter-ending essay that ties together the readings; -- five topics section; -- introductory material for each reading, including the selection's provenance, authorship, and historical context.