Against the Friars: Antifraternalism in Medieval France and England

by Tim Rayborn

Overview

The friars represented a remarkable innovation in medieval religious life. Founded in the early 13th century, the Franciscans and Dominicans seemed a perfect solution to the Church's troubles in confronting rapid changes in society. They attracted enthusiastic support, especially from the papacy, to which they answered directly. In their first 200 years, membership grew at an astonishing rate, and they became counsellors to princes and kings, receiving an endless stream of donations and gifts.

Yet there were those who believed the adulation was misguided or even dangerous, and who saw in the friars' actions only hypocrisy, deceit, greed and even signs of the end of the world. From the mid-13th century, writings appeared denouncing and mocking the friars and calling for their abolition. Their French and English opponents were among the most vocal. From harsh theological criticism and outrage at the Inquisition to vulgar tales and bathroom humor, this thoroughly documented work is suitable for the newcomer, as well as for readers who are familiar with the subject but might like to investigate specific topics in more detail.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786468317
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	10/23/2014
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Tim Rayborn is a historian, medievalist, and musician, with a Ph.D. from the University of Leeds in England. He writes on history and on the arts, and lives in Vancouver, Washington.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Introduction 3

1 Popular Religion, Heresy and Mendicancy 9

2 The University of Paris and the Quarrels 32

3 The Perils of the Last Times: The Writings of Guillaume de Saint-Amour 52

4 Antichrist's Boy: False Seeming, the Apocalypse and the Roman de la Rose 63

5 Poetry and Song in 13th-Century France: Rutebeuf, the Trouvères and the Goliards 83

6 Scandalous Fables and Vulgar Animals: Reynard, the Fabliaux and Fauvel 96

7 England: The Turbulent 14th Century, and the Writings of Chaucer, Langland and Gower 117

8 English Religious Criticism: Matthew Paris, Oxford University, Richard FitzRalph and John Wyclif 134

Conclusion 162

Appendix A Art Bibliography and Resources 165

Appendix B Music Bibliography and Resources 168

Chapter Notes 172

Bibliography 224

Index 245