Angelic monks and earthly men : monasticism and its meaning to medieval society / Ludo J.R. Milis
1992, First Edition. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK ; Rochester, NY, USA : Boydell Press. Near fine cloth copy in a near-fine, very slightly edge-nicked and dust-dulled dust-wrapper. Previous owner's bookplate. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Item #445122
ISBN: 0851153038
Physical description: xiv, 170 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm. Contents: 1. Our Written Information: From Recording the Exceptional to Recording the Usual. Is our knowledge of the middle ages representative? Is our knowledge of medieval monasticism representative? Can proportions be measured? -- 2. The Global Vision of the Created World. The fulfilment of God's will. The ineluctable decay of the Creation. Fundamental pessimism and presumed monastic creativity -- 3. The Sources of Material Wealth. The rural setting. Craft and commerce: the abbey, the market and the town -- 4. The Monks' Attitude towards People. Monks, nobility and common people. Rural people. Urban people. The works of mercy. The impact on the demographic situation -- 5. Value Systems, Christian and Monastic. Christian values and ethics. Reciprocity, a social function -- 6. The Intellectual Contribution. The legacy of antiquity. An everlasting renaissance. Writing, reading, teaching and thinking: monks as the keepers of collective memory. Allegory and rationalism. As times changed, education changed. Tolerance and incomprehension -- 7. Religion, Religious Life and the Church. Mission, conversion and the crusades. Charisma, rule and institution -- 8. Artistic Expression. Art for them or art for us? Space and image. 'Art for art's sake' or functional art? A deeper sense -- 9. Monastic Life. Heaven and hell on earth: individuals living together. A pyramid of self-negation: the individual and the community. Spirit and flesh: the battle of the individual. The easy way or the difficult way: comparison with the world outside. Subjects: Christian Brothers History Middle Ages, 600-1500. Trinity College (University of Cambridge). Library. Manuscript. R.17.1. Monasticism and religious orders History Middle Ages, 600-1500.
Price: €12.95