Power and Faith Politics and Religion in Western Europe from the Tenth to the Thirteenth Century

Examining the developments in the political and religious landscape of Western Europe between the tenth and thirteenth centuries, Power and Faith explores the origins of dominant nation Sates and religious institutions in the West emerged out of the fractured and fragmented post-Carolingian world. As a foundational text for those new to the period, the book offers a clear chronological framework for understanding and analysing the emerging polities of Western Europe and an examination of the influence of the Papacy and the Crusades across Christian life and culture. Mixed with careful consideration of major social and economic themes including urbanisation, rural revolution, and the role of women in politics, religion, and society, the book gives a uniquely comprehensive overview of political and religious developments in Western Europe during a neglected yet fundamentally significant period. The book is divided into six parts, part one sets out the scope and aims of the book and discusses the sources used. Parts two and six provide overviews of the political and religious states of affairs in Europe at the start and end of the period respectively. Framed by these sections, the book is divided into three chronologically-ordered parts each containing three chapters, the first offers a brief account of the main historiography of the period concerned, the second provides a thorough account and analysis of the main political developments across Europe during it and the third explores the main religious changes. Power and Faith is an essential introductory guide for students and researchers interested in politics, religion, and society in Western Europe during the middle ages.

Maps Preface Introduction Power and Faith in Western Europe in About 900 How Do We Know? Sources and Interpretations PART 1: THE TENTH CENTURY, c.890-c.1020 The Social and Economic Context Power: The Political Framework, c.890-c.1020 The East Frankish Kingdom and the Renewal of Empire The West Frankish Kingdom and the Challenge of Survival Britain and Ireland: Kingdoms and Peoples Southern Europe: The Multicultural Experience in Iberia and Italy Frontier Europe: Christians and Pagans in the North and East Faith: The Church in Western Europe, c.890-c.1020 The Papacy: Too Corrupt to Matter? Bishops and Monks: Local Power in Cathedrals and Cloisters Priests and People: Popular Practice and Everyday Belief PART 2: THE ELEVENTH CENTURY, c.1020-c.1120 The Social and Economic Context Power: The Political Framework, c.1020-c.1120 Germany: Royal Authority and Mighty Rebellion France: Petty Kings and Potent Princes Britain and Ireland: Conquest and Survival Southern Europe: Spanish Kings and Norman Knights in Iberia and Italy Frontier Europe: Life on the Edge in the North and East Faith: The Church in Western Europe, c.1020-c.1120 The Papacy: Revival and Reform The New Monasticism Popular Piety and Shades of Belief The First Crusade and its Aftermath: Beginner’s Luck? PART 3: THE TWELFTH CENTURY, c.1120-c.1220 The Social and Economic Context Power: The Political Framework, c.1120-c.1220 Germany: Staufen, Welf and the Struggle for Imperium France: A Real Kingdom at Last Britain and Ireland: Civil Wars and Fights for Supremacy Southern Europe: Reconquista and State Building in Iberia and Italy Frontier Europe: Westernisation in the North and East Faith: The Church in Western Europe, c.1120-c.1220 The Papacy: Schisms and Supremacy Preachers and Friars: The Reinvention of Orthodoxy Religion, Renewal and the Laity Muslim Revival and the Crisis of Crusading Closer to Home: Crusading in Europe and the Battle with Heresy Conclusion Further Reading Index

Richard Huscroft is Head of History at Westminster School, London. His interests are rooted in different aspects of European Medieval history, as is reflected in his publications including England’s Jewish Solution (2006), Ruling England, 1042-1217 (2016) and Tales From the Long Twelfth Century (2017).