Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages

The concept of an ordered human society, both religious and secular, as an expression of a divinely ordered universe was central to medieval thought. In the West the political and religious community were inextricably bound together, and because the Church was so intimately involved with the world, any history of it must take into account the development of medieval society.

Professor Southern's book covers the period from the eighth to the sixteenth century. After sketching the main feature...