
Transcriber's Notes: Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been left as in the original. Ellipses match the original.
PREFACE
CHAPTER I THE STUDY OF CHURCH HISTORY
CHAPTER II GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY ON CHURCH HISTORY
CHAPTER III PREPARATION OF THE CIVILISED WORLD FOR THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
CHAPTER IV ORIGIN, SPREAD, AND ORGANISATION OF THE CHURCH DURING THE APOSTOLIC AGE
CHAPTER V THE ROMAN CHURCH AND PETER'S PRIMACY
CHAPTER VI THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT'S TREATMENT OF THE CHRISTIANS
CHAPTER VII TRANSITION OF THE CHURCH UNDER CONSTANTINE
CHAPTER VIII THE COUNCIL OF NICÆA AND ITS RESULTS
This volume offers a clear, engaging survey of the medieval Church, tracing its origins, institutional growth, and the rise of the papacy while setting aside doctrinal disputes. By highlighting the key forces that shaped the Roman Church, it reveals how ecclesiastical structures helped forge Western Europe’s cultural and political landscape. The narrative stays focused on the big‑picture developments, making the complex era accessible without overwhelming detail.
Drawing on extensive research conducted in the great libraries of Berlin, Rome, Paris, and London, the author weaves together primary sources and scholarly insight into a readable format suited for both college classrooms and curious listeners. The book’s straightforward style, combined with thoughtful commentary on sources and historiography, invites readers to explore further on their own. It serves as a solid foundation for anyone interested in how the medieval Church became a cornerstone of Western civilization.
Full title
The Rise of the Mediaeval Church And Its Influence on the Civilization of Western Europe from the First to the Thirteenth Century
Language
en
Duration
~18 hours (1065K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif, Lisa Reigel, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2013-01-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1869–1942
A historian of Europe and the medieval church, he wrote sweeping studies that helped bring complex religious and political history to general readers. His books reflect a scholar deeply interested in how institutions shaped everyday civilization over centuries.
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