This book is concerned with the changes in religious thought and institutions from the late eleventh century to the third quarter of the twelfth. It concentrates on monks and nuns, but also takes into consideration hermits, recluses, wandering preachers, crusaders, penitents, and other less organised forms of religious life. In particular it studies the variety of reform movements, the relation of the reformers to each other and the outside world, and their spirituality and motivation as reflected in their writings and activities. The work stands in close relation to the author’s Three Studies in Medieval Religious and Social Thought (1995), which took what may be called a horizontal approach, studying three topics over the entire Middle Ages. The present work takes a vertical approach, looking at many aspects of reform during a comparatively short period. Together the two works show the relatively rapid change in religious life and sentiments in the twelfth century.

 A study complementary to the same author’s Three Studies, published in 1995 to great critical acclaim  A new appraisal of the key ‘reformation’ in medieval religion by one of the world’s leading senior medieval scholars  Offers a new analysis of the changes which set their mark on the future development of Christian life and ideals

Contents
List of illustrations; Preface; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2. The variety of reformers; 3. The circumstances and types of reform; 4. The rhetoric of reform; 5. The realities of reform: (1) within the community; 6. The realities of reform: (2) monastic activities and relations with secular society; 7. The spirituality of reform; 8. The broader setting; Bibliography of secondary works; Index of papal documents; Biblication index; General index.