Synopses & Reviews
First published in 1977, this comprehensive history of the great heretical movements of the Middle Ages provides a vivid account of the dark, often secret, world of dissent and protest against the medieval churches of Rome and Byzantium. Malcolm Lambert examines the origins and nature of these heresies, and looks at how medieval churchmen grappled with deviation, sometimes by preaching and argument, more often by armed force, imprisonment and the stake.
The third edition retains the shape and time-scale of the previous editions, but assesses a new mood of scepticism among historians about the accuracy of accusations of heresy in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. It gives fresh insight into the inquisitional process, and the rise and fall of Catharism, and offers a new account of the moving dialogue between Bishop Fournier and the Waldensian deacon, Raymond de Sainte Foy, and of research on urban Waldensianism. In addition the author surveys the continuing flow of work on English Lollardy. These revisions enable both those who are familiar with the book and new readers to stay in touch with the most recent research on heretical movements.
Review
"A masterpiece of learning, thought, and insight. No serious student of the Middle Ages will fail to read and indeed reread this seminal work. I regard it as one of the finest and most important books on medieval history ever written."
Norman F. Cantor, New York University"A remarkably thorough and instructive synthesis of much modern work which will be especially welcome." Annual Bulletin of Historical Literature
Synopsis
This is the most comprehensive history of the great heretical movements of the Middle Ages since H. C. Lea's pioneering work of 1888. Malcolm Lambert provides a vivid account of the dark, often secret, world of dissent and protest against the medieval churches of Rome and Byzantium.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [405]-410) and index.
About the Author
Malcolm Lambert was Reader in Medieval History at the University of Bristol until 1991 when he retired to devote himself to writing and research. His previous books are Franciscan Poverty (1961, reissued 1998) and The Cathars (paperback edition, 1998). He is now working on a history of the Conversion of Britain.
Table of Contents
Maps.
Illustrations.
Acknowledgements.
Preface.
Part I: The Beginnings:.
1. The Problem of Heresy.
2. The Revival of Heresy in the West: The Eleventh Century.
Part II: The Twelfth Century:.
3. Orthodox Reform and Heresy.
4. Heretical Preachers and the Rise of Catharism.
5. The Waldensians and the Deepening Crisis.
Part III: Heresy and the Church:.
6. The Counter-attack: Innocent III to Innocent IV.
7. The Cathars.
8. The Waldensians after the Conference of Bergamo.
9. Tension and Insecurity: Grefory X to John XXII.
10. Inquisition and Abuse.
11. Spiritual Franciscans and Heretical Joachimites.
Part IV: Evangelical Heresy in the Late Middle Ages:.
12. Church and Society: Benedict XII to Eugenius IV.
13. John Wyclif.
14. The English Lollards.
15. The Bohemian Reform Movement.
16. Politics and Hussitism, 1409-1419.
17. Success and Failure: from the Defenestration to the Agreement at Jihlava.
18. The Unitas Fratrum and the Development of Confessions.
19. Medieval Heresies and the Reformation.
20. Reflections.
Glossary of Heretics.
Abbreviations.
Reading List.
Index.