History of the Christian church

Front matter

Google to make the world's books discoverable online.

It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject

to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books

I. The BvzANTnm Empiab

Career of Heraclius — Repulse of the Saracens before Constantinople— Founding of the Bulgarian Kingdom — Restoration of the Images, 27

n.

RiSB'op Mohammedanism and the Cai«ipatb.

Life and Work of Mohammed — ^Woman in Mohammedanism — The Doctrine of Islam — Califs of Medina — Califate of Damascus — Califs of Bagdad — Califs of Cordova, ... 35

III. The Merovingians

The Merovingian Times — ^The Cities — Dark Ages— Clovis^ His Successors, 47

IV. The Empire op Chari«emagne

Rise of the Carolings — Charles Martel — Pepin le Bref — Empire of Charlemagne — Conquests — Charlemagne as Legislator — Aid to Learning — Service to Art — Charlemagne and the Church — His Personal Appearance, . . 52

V. The Conversion op the Teutonic Nations

Conversion of Saxon England — Condition of Ireland — Irish Missionaries in England — Irish Missions on the Continent— St. Columban — English Missions on the Continent —Willibrord— Boniface — His Organization of the German,

Church — Monastery of Pulda— Missions in Prisia — Mission-work among the Saxons — Conference of Whitby — Theodore of Tarsus — Baeda — ^Alcuin 6i

VI. Thb Constitution of thb Church: History op the

Papai« Sbb.

^opes of the Seventh Century — Popes of the Eighth Century — Donation of Constantine — Coronation of Charlemagne — ^The Metropolitan — ^The Diocesan Bishop— The Parish —Tithes, 88

VIL

Monothelite Controversy — Condemnation of Honorius — Image Controversy — Abuses of Image-worship — Council of Constantinople — Failure of Iconoclasm;— Seventh Ecumenical Council — Image-worship in the West — Adoptionist Controversy, io6

vra.

The Church Lipb.

Discipline of the Clergy— Church in Gaul and the Demoralization of the Prankish Clergy — New Legislation — Clerical Marriage — Teutonic Superstitions — Legislation about Marriage — Sunday — Positive Christian Precepts — Influence of the Penitentials — Confession — Monastic Life — Canonical Life — Worship and Instruction — Masses — Pilgrimages— Charities — Church Property, ii8

]8arf j&sronb.

THE FORMATION OF THE MEDLBVAL CHURCH.

L

Thb Byzantine Empire.

Leo the Armenian — ^The Amorian D3masty— The Basilian Dynasty— Conquest of Crete, Cjrprus, and Syria from the Saracens— Overthrow of the Bulgarian Kingdom — Beginning of the Decline of the Byzantine Empire — The Calif- •tc, 143 n.

The End ov thb Caru>vingian Dynasty, and ths Nhw

German Empire.

Louis the Pious and his Sons — Beginnings of the Three Kingdoms — Kings of Germany, Saxon House — Salian Emperors, 156

III.

The Invasions.

The Northmen — Routes of the Vikings — Ireland — Scotland and the Islands — Danes in England — Alfred the Great — Northmen on the Continent — The Norman Duchy — ^England from the Death of Alfred to the Conquest of the Danes — Danish Conquest of England — Canute and his Sons — ^Edward the Confessor — ^The Normans — ^The Norman Conquest — Normans in Lower Italy and Sicily — Normans in Russia — Avars — Bulgarians — ^Wends — Saracens— ^Hungarians 166

IV.

Feudai^ism.

The Feudal Regime — ^Virtues of Feudalism — ^Its Faults — Origin of the Feudal System — ^Economic Conditions — Feudal Taxation and Reliefs — Seigniorial Taxation — Political and Social Conditions, 190

V.

The Conversion of the Northern and Eastern

Nations.

The Scandinavian Peoples — ^Anskar and his Mission — ^Mis« sionary Work from Bremen — ^Contact with Christian Nations — Conversion of the Danes — Norway — King Hakon and the Heathen— Olaf Tryggvason — St. Olaf — Sweden — Iceland — Conversion of the Sclavic Nations- Otto of Bamberg — Conversion of Bohemia and Poland — St Adelbert — Conversion of Hungary, the Bulgarians, and Russians, 302

VL

Ths Constitution op the Church— History of ths

Papai« Sbb.

Bra of the Caroling Emperors — The Tuscan Popes — Rule of Dissolute Women at Rome — Period of the Ottos — Popes of the Crescentians and the Counts of Tusculum — The German Popes — Pontificate of Hildebrand, 229

vn.

Thboi,ogicai« Thought.

The Close of the Image Controversy — The Photian Controversy— Gottschalk Controversy — Berengarian Controversy — Divorce of Lothaire — Hincmar of Rheims and Nicholas I — ^Pseudo-Isidorean Decretals, i . . . . 251

vni.

The Church Life.

Condition of the Clergy— Wealth of the Roman Church— The German Prelates — Clerical Marriage — Monastic Life — Destruction of Monasteries — Benedict of Aniane — Reform of Clugny — Religious Life of the People — Pilgrimages — Relics — Ordeals — ^Truce of God — Extortion — Charity, 272

THE CULMINATION OP THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH,

L

The Crusades.

First Crusade — Godfrey of Bouillon— Byzantine Empire — Kingdom of Jerusalem — Byzantine Empire till 1180 — St Bernard — Second Crusade — Kingdom of Jerusalem, 1146- 1 187— Third Crusade— Richard I and Philip Augustus- Fourth Crusade— The Latin Empire of Constantinople — The Fifth Crusade — St Louis — Sixth Crusade — Seventh and Children's Crusades — Crusading Missions in Livonia, Esthonia, and Prussia — Results of the Crusades, . . . 299 n.

The States of Modern Europe.

England — Magna Charta — History through the Reign of Edward I — France from Philip I to Philip IV — Spain — Sweden — Norway — ^Russia — ^Results — Rise of the Cities.

The Papacy and the Empire.

From the Death of Gregory to the Concordat of Worms — Henry V — From the Concordat of Worms to Innocent III — ^The Pontificate of Innocent III — Relations with England— Innocent and the Magna Charta — Innocent and Philip Augustus — ^The Marriage of King John — Fourth Lateran Council, 12 15 — Ipnocent's Failure — His Character — From Innocent III to Boniface VIII — Innocent IV — Last Conflicts of Frederick — Charles of Anjou and Naples — End of the Hohenstaufens — End of the German Interregnum— Boniface VHI — Sicily — Bull Clericis Laicos — Unam Sanctam — Death of Boniface, 377

IV.

Christian Thought.

■Scholastic Theology — St. Anselm — Abelard — Albert the Great — Thomas Aquinas — His Theories — Roger Bacon — Raymond de LuUy — ^The Universities, 436

V.

The Church Life.

The Waldenses — Order of Grammont — Carthusians — Order of Frontevraud — Cistercians — St. Francis of Assisi — The Franciscan Order until 1300 — Catharism — The Inquisition—Bull "Ad Extirpanda"— The Procedure— The Sentence— St. Dominic — The Dominican Order — Gothic Architecture— Charity — Charitable Orders — Hospital Foundations— St. Elizabeth, 460 part Jourtij.

THE DECl^INE OF THE MEDIEVAL CHURCH.

L

The States op Europe.

England, Edward II to Henry VIII — Anti-Papal Legislation — John Wyclif — Scotland — France — Destruction of the Templars by Philip IV — Sons of Philip IV— Jeanne d'Arc — Charles VII to Louis XII — Spain — Switzerland — Denmark, Sweden, and Norway — Poland — Russia, .... 507

IL The Constitution of the Church.— The Papacy.

Struggle between the Papacy and Louis of Bavaria— John XXII and the Franciscans — Papacy and the Empire — The Golden Bull — The Great Schism — Catherine of Sienna — Era of the Councils — Council of Constance — ^John Huss— Hussite Wars — Council of Basel — The Popes of the Renaissance— Savonarola, 554

HI.

Christian Thought.

Duns Scotns — ^William of Occam — Mystics— John Rnjsboek,

IV.

The Church Life.

Pallium Tax — Annates — Provisions — Commends — Expectancies— Jus Spoliorum — Vacancies — Indulgences — Fees of the Roman Chancellery — De Ruina Ecclesiae — Monastic Orders — ^The Inquisition — Witches — Condition of the People — ^Architecture— Charity— Beguines — Beghards and Alexians — Monasteries — Hocpitals, 583.

part Itfflj.

THE SOCIAL LIFE OF THE MIDDLE AGES.

L

Pictures from Mbdi-^^^vai, Life.

Life of Peasant and Lord — ^The Preparation by Work Agriculture— Trade and Artisan Life — Guild Merchants — Craft Guilds — Guilds and Civic Organization — Towns and Cities — Nobles — Chivalry — Literature, 597

n.

The Service of the Mediaeval Church— The Papacy — Exemptions and Supremacy of the Clergy — Transubstantiation — Confession — Celibacy of the Clergy — Monastic Life — Inquisition — Conclusion, 621

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

1 RiAi, OF John Huss, Frontispiece.

OPPOSITE PAOK

Chari^emagne 54

CharIvEmagne Baptizing the Saxons, 8i

Henry IV at Canossa, 246

St. Bernard Preaching the Crusades, . . ^99

Godfrey of Bouii,i<on, 308

Dante, 390

Thomas Aquinas, 444

SavonaroIvA, . ... 574

Chaucer, . . . 619

THE LITERATURE.

THE purpose of this sketch is to help those who would read further in the history of the Middle Ages; but a few words are due to those who have not found history attractive to them, and to whom this book seems repellent as a mass of names and dates. *'Are we to learn all these?" they ask in horror. My dear reader, no; as soon think of committing to memory the names of the characters in Shakespeare's plays to understand the poet They are needful to refer to — ^you wish to know who they are, and their relation to the play; but the action of the drama will sufficiently impress the leading characters on the mind.

To read history, read it first as you would a novel, giving your attention to the main action and the leading characters, and do not fear to skip the hard or uninteresting passages. The only dates necessary to remember are those at the head of the several parts, eight in the whole book. History, thus read for its action, the work and character of the men and women who have shaped the life of succeeding generations, surpasses in interest, in variety and strangeness of incident, any romance.

This history is a story of life — of life crude and full of violence, but full also of vigor and strong contrasts. To understand the life of the Middle Ages, there are no three books in English better than Shakespeare's historic plays from King John to Henry VIII; then, allowing for the coarseness of some of them — ^and that is true to the life of the time — Chaucer's " Canterbury Tales," and, with the same limitation, the book of English Ballads published by Macmillan. These give a better idea of the life of the Middle Ages than most histories.

II

To these should be added Dante's '* Divine Comedy/* for the religious and intellectual side of that life. I«ongfellow has given us an excellent translation; those of Gary and Parsons are cheaper and in more convenient form. It is well worth the trouble it costs to understand one of the greatest poets of all time. Wagner's music and the Nibelungen Lied make us familiar with the non- Christian ideals of the Middle Ages. The song of Roland acquaints us with the ideals of Chivalry, the Chronicles of Froissart with its actual life. From these ideals, Tennyson drew his inspiration and conception for his ** Idyls of the King," and Lowell for "Sir Launfal's Vision." Longfellow in his "Golden Legend," and Sir Walter Scott in "Ivanhoe" and "The Talisman," seek to make mediaeval life familiar to us. An acquaintance with any of these will help us to see and feel the life of the Middle Ages. They will help to understand their history, and their history will help to understand them.

Read, then, the book a second time, with attention enough to the dates to fix firmly the two ideas of succession and contemporaneousness. That is, what events which interested you took place before or after Charlemagne, St. Bernard, or Innocent III, or any other character who has attracted your attention. Fix their relative position, which can easily be done by comparing their dates. If a date is. to be remembered, write it down in its succession as before or after some other event in which you are interested. Pay attention to cause and effect; notice why Boniface must come before Charlemagne, and Hildebrand before Innocent III, and both before Boniface VIII.

Then make clear who were contemporaries with any character with whom you may be specially interested, it it may be St. Francis or John Huss, St. Catherine or Savonarola.

Take Savonarola beside Pope Alexander VI, Lotenzo de Medici, and Charles VIII of France, with whom he came directly in contact; at that time lived Maximilian I of Germany, Henry VII of England, Ferdinand and Isa^ bella of Spain, and, more renowned than either, Christopher Columbus. Michael Angelo and Albrecht Diirer were young men, while Raphael, Luther, and Zwingli were youths in school. If these navies are read up in any good encyclopaedia, and then is read some inexpensive book, like Mrs. Oliphant's ** Makers of Florence,** a good idea is gained of the times in which Savonarola lived . Those who have access to public libraries will find great assistance in the use of Poole's "Index of Periodical Literature." Such association of persons or events fixes dates. Associate the death of Savonarola with the discovery of America, and the date of his work and suffering can never be forgotten.

On the other hand, dates are essential. Who can understand the American Revolution if he does not know that the Stamp Act preceded the Declaration of Independence ; or who can understand the Civil War if he does not remember that Bull Run was before and not after Gettysburg? So in the Middle Ages. We must khow whether Godfrey of Bouillon came before or after St. Louis, whether St. Boniface or Boniface VIII was the earlier, whether John Huss preceded or followed Martin Luther. It is the fact of succession, not the exact date, that is to be remembered, though often the date will fix itself in making clear the order of succession. Thus a history must have dates, and many of them, and mention many characters whose names it is not important to remember. In this great story of the life of Christendom for nearly a thousand years, we must ask three questions : What are the great events? What are the great characters? What are the chief institutions, usages, or ideas developed or influential in its course? Then these three merge into one : How did this life, or history, prepare the way or influence the life of our times? The history which answers accurately and impartially these questions fills well its part, one that does not fail of its purpose. For the student, or one who wishes to read further, the following list is made: First are given {a) the works which are accessible to the English reader, then (3) the chief works in German and French, and (c) the sources which are almost altogether in Latin.

Do the Period of the Middle Ages.

{a) The general Church histories of Neander, Gieseler, Hase, Kurtz, Moehler, and Alzog, all translated from the German. Neander is full and devout in spirit, but not attractive in style. Gieseler is profitable for those who can read Latin, as he gives well-selected, copious, and reliable extracts from the sources; Hase has an attractive and flowing style ; Kurtz is a reliable text-book, improved with successive editions; Alzog gives the Roman Catholic view; Moehler is the most recent, and if but one can be used, it is to be preferred. Of English writers. Gibbon's "History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," read in connection with Milman*s "History of Latin Christianity," gives the best general view. Philip Smith's "Student's Ecclesiastical History," Vol. II; Hardwick's " History of the Christian Church in the Middle Ages," edited by Bishop Stubbs; Schaff^s "Church History," and Sheldon's "History of the Christian Church." All three of the last named are reliable, interesting, and valuable. Slighter and more introductory are Trench's " Lectures on Mediaeval Church History," Church's "Early Middle Ages," and "Emmerton's "Study of the Middle Ages." Always valuable are Hallam's "State of Europe in the Middle Ages," and Stubbs's " Lectures on Mediaeval and Modem History."

(3) Of German works, untranslated, perhaps the most helpful are the Church Histories of Kraus, "moderate Catholic," Langen, "Old Catholic," and Hergenrother, "Ultramontane." Karl Miiller's Kirchenge^chichte is the latest Protestant work.

Byiantliie Empire.

(a) Gibbon. Findlay's "History of Greece," Vols. II-V; Bury's " History of the Later Roman Empire," 2 vols. In one volume, Oman's "Story of the Byzantine Empire,"

MohamnmdinliMn and the Seraoens.

{a) Muir*s "Life of Mohammed," in 4 vols.; Wellshausen's Article in Encyclopaedia Britannica; " Koran," translated by Palmer, 1880; Oilman's "Story of the Saracens;" Stanley Lane-Poole's "Story of the Moors in Spain," and "Story of the Barbary Corsairs;" Creasy's " Ottoman Turks ;" Ockley's "History of the Saracens." (b) Sprenger and Noldecke, "Lives of Mohammed."

Merovinflrians and House of Charlemagne.

(a) Mombert's " History of Charles the Great ;" Mullinger's " Schools of Charles the Great." {b) Hauck's " Kirchengeschichte Deutschlands," Vol. II, Martin's "Histoire de France." {c) "Gregory of Tours;" Eginhard's "Vita Carolis Magni;" Jaffe's "Monumenta Carolina.'* i6 Literature.

The InvatkMM.

(tf ) The general histories of Prance, Germany, and England. Freeman's "Norman Conquest," 5 vols. Green's "Conquest of England." Johnson's "Normans " (in Epochs of History Series), (r) Odericus Vitalis, " Historia Ecclesiastica."

The Cooveraion of Europe.

(a) Maclear's "Apostles of Mediaeval Europe;" Smith's "Mediaeval Missions;" Merivale's "Conversion of the Northern Nations;" Montalembert's " Monks of the West ;" Green's " Making of England."

ifi) Hauck's " Kirchengeschichte Deutschlands;" Maurer's "Verkehrung des Norwegischen Stammes zum Christenthum ;" Biidinger's "Oestreichs Geschichte bis zum Ausgang des I3ten Jahrhunderts;" Dehio's " Geschichte des Erzbisthums Hamburg-Bre- - men bis zum Ausgang der Mission," 2 Bande, 1877. "Philaret" translated into German by Blumenthal; "Geschichte Russlands." See especially, "Giesebrecht on Otto of Bamberg."

The Papacy and the Conetltiitlon of the Church.

(a) Hatch's "Origin of Church Institutions in Modem

Europe ;" Hefele's " Conciliengeschichte," Vols. HI- VI; Gregorovius's "Geschichte derStadt Romim Mittelalter," Vols. I-X. Both of these standard works have just appeared in an English translation. There are no better guides. Hefele is a Roman Catholic of the liberal school ; learned, accurate, and fair. Gregorovius is non-Christian, but learned, S3rmpathetic, and a most interesting writer. In the latter period, 1300-1517, Creighton's "History of the Papacy During the Period of the Reformation," 4 vols.

(3) Von Raumer's ** Geschichte der Hohenstaufen," 6 vols. Giesebrecht*s ** Geschichte der Deutschen Kaiserzeit," 6 vols. Lamprecht's " Deutsche Geschichte," 5 vols. Pastor's " Die Papste der Renaissance," 3 vols. Strong Roman Catholic, bnl able and fair in his statements ; not yet translated.

Donatloa of Constantine.

(r) Letters of the Popes, in Migne, especially Innocent III and Boniface VIII. Jafife's '*Monumenta Gregoriana," for Hildebrand; Holder-Egger*s "Lambert of Hersfeld;" Platina*s "Lives of the Popes," edited by Benham ; Linns*s " Paul II ;" Mirbt's "Quellen zur Geschichte des Papstthums." This last is a most valuable book. No better service could be done to the cause of historic truth and righteousness than to publish this volume with an English translation on the opposite page.

The Cmsades.

{a) General histories : Michaud*s " Histoire des Croisades," 3 vols., and " Von Sybel," in one volume, are both standards and both translated. Cox*s " Crusades " (in the Epochs of History series) is the best short account. DoUinger has a very instructive essay, "The Beginning of the Eastern Question," in the Selected Essays published in English. Pears's "The Fall of Constantinople," best account of fourth Crusade. Guizot*s " St. Louis and Calvin."

{b) Von Raumer's "Geschichte der Hohenstaufen " is good.

States of Modern Europe.

(a) Hallam. Freeman. Green's " Short History of the English People," Vols. I, II. Ramsay*s " Houses of Lancaster and York," 2 vols. Stubbs's "Selected Charters and Constitutional History of England," 3 vols., most important. Hallam's ** Constitutional History of England."

{b) Martin's " Histoire de France," 17 vols. Guizot's " Histoire de France," 6 vols., translated. Michelet's "Histoire de France," 17 vols., first six translated in 2 vols. Dury*s "Histoire de France," and "du la Moyen Age," have been translated, and are interesting, but are not up to the present standard of scholarship in accuracy and reliability. Giesebrecht and Lamprecht g^ve the best and latest popular histories of Germany. Bryce*s "Holy Roman Empire," invaluable, lewis's "History of Germany" and Hunt's " History of Italy " are in one volume.

Theological Thought.

(a) Hefele's "History of the Councils;" Sheldon's " History of Doctrine," 2 vols. ; Fisher's " History of Doctrine;" Allen's chapter on "Middle Ages in the Continuity of Christian Thought;" Vaughn's "Hours with the Mystics;" Erdmann's " History of Philosophy " (excellent English translation), 3 vols.

(b) Haureau's "De la Philosophic Scholastique," 2 vols. ; Preger's "Geschichte der deutschen Mystik im Mittelalter;" Hamack's " Dogmengeschichte," Vol. Ill (English translation).

(c) " Pseudo-Isidorean Decretals," ed. Hinschius; " Monographs."

{a) Essays on Hildebrand and Anselm; Stephen's " Ecclesiastical Essays ;" " Life of Anselm," by Hasse ; " Life of St. Bernard," by Neander and Morison ; best by Storrs. Article on Roger Bacon in Enclyclopaedia Britannica. "St. Elizabeth;" Charles Kingsley's "A Saint's Tragedy;" Ullmann's "Reformers before the Reformation;" Lechler's "Wycliflfe;" Gillett's "Life of Huss;" "Savonarola;" "Life," by Villari, 2 vols.; Ranke, Hase, Pastor.

{b) Remusat's "Abelard;" Hergenrother*s "Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople," 3 vols.; W**mer's " Thomas Aquinas," 3 vols. ; Werner's " Duns Scotus." Hase*s " St. Catherine of Sienna.

Church Life.

(fl) Neander's " Memorials of Christian Life;" "Hefele." H. C. Lea: "History of Sacerdotal Celibacy," " History of the Inquisition," 3 vols. ; " Superstition and Force;" "Wager of Battle, Ordeal, and Torture;" "Studies in Church History;" " Rise of the Temporal Power and Benefit of the Clergy;" "History of Auricular Confession," 3 vols. The works of no American historian are more worthy of a careful perusal. Brace's "Gesta Christi,"

{b) Dollinger's "Die Secten des Mittelalters;" Jansen's "Geschichte des Deutschen Volkes," Vol. I; Uhlhom's "Charity in the Christian Church," Vol. II. (I think this volume is translated; I used the German.)

Architecture, Music, and Art.

(a) Liibke's "History of Art ;" Reber*s " History of Mediaeval Art;" Fergusson's "History of Architecture;" Scott's Lectures on the " Rise and Development of Mediaeval Architecture;" Essay on "English Church Architecture;" Norton's "Studies on Church Building in the Middle Ages;" March's "Latin H3rmns with English Notes;" Caswell's "Lyra Catholica" (translations); Schaflf's "Christ in Song;" Woltmann and Woermann's " History of Painting."

Soda! Life in the Middle Ages.

{a) Guizot's " History of Civilization in France;" Le- Croix's "Manners, Customs, and Usages of the Middle Ages," and "Religious and Military Orders of the

Middle Ages;" Vinogradoff's "English Villainage;" Ashley's '' Introduction to English Economic History and Theory," 2 vols.; Cunningham's ''Growth of English Industry and Commerce," 2 vols.; Lecky's ''History of European Morals," 2 vols., and "History of Rationalism," 2 vols.

{b) Gautier's "Chivalry;" Von Raumer's "Gcschichte der Hohenstauffen," Vols. V-VI; Inama- Stemegg's "Ausbildung der grossen Grundherrschaften in Deutschland ;" Lamprecht's "Economic France, looo-iioo;" Burkhardt's "The Civilization of the Period of the Renaissance in Italy " (2 vols., English translations), which is the best single authority on the period. S3rmonds's "The Renaissance in Italy," (4 vols.), more brilliant than Burkhardt, but not more valuable. Villari*s "Niccolo Macchiavelli and his Times" (4 vols., English translations).

In this volume the name Mainz is preferred to Mayence, Aachen to Aix la Chapelle, Regensburg to Ratisbon ; but after full consideration, Cologne is preferred to Koln, and Charlemagne to Charles the Great

Note.— This work aims to tell the story of the Middle Ages ; to tell it clearly, with interest, comprehensiveness, and precision. The interest depends upon a perception of the progress of the action of the great drama unfolded in its pages. This action centers in the history of the papacy. Those unfamiliar with the history of these centuries will do well to read this book in the logical order of its dramatic action. That is, the sixth chapter of Parts I and II, the third chapter of Part III, and second chapter of Part IV. Then should be read the conversion of the Teutonic and the Northern Nations, the Invasions, Feudalism, and the Crusades. Afterward the chapters on Church Life; then the other chapters will come into their proper place, as the interest shall direct.

Introduction

The Middle Ages are farther removed from Americans than from any other civilized people. Around us are no memorials of their existence. Neither mediaeval cathedrals nor castles greet our vision, unless we cross the sea. Their knighthood, their caste, and their customs never touched our soil. With us are no memorials of the Crusades or of the Inquisition. As a Nation, we are Protestant, and we have no familiarity with an elaborate church-service, whose language, ritual, and vestments date from these ages, or vividly represent them. It requires greater effort for us than for others to realize the existence and life of those times, whose fundamental principles were inequality in society and before the law, authority in religion, and the rule of the privileged classes.

It would be an immense mistake to conclude that therefore they have no interest for us, and hence the effort was not worth making. We can not drop almost a thousand years out of Christian history. God was in those ages, and his paths are worth our tracing. Because influences are invisible and indirect, they are not the less powerful. Growth is ever of this nature, and yet is the most transforming element in human life and society. The revival of interest in the life in the Middle Ages — led by Sir Walter Scott in England, Schiller in Germany, and Victor Hugo and his brilliant compeers in France — known as Romanticism, has been one of the most remarkable intellectual

22 Introduction.

movements of the nineteenth century. It powerfully affected literature, history, and every kind of art. The novel, the drama, painting, and, most of all, architecture, have been molded by it. It is largely responsible for the revival of the Roman Catholic Church on the Continent, and the growth of the High Church ritualistic movement in England, and makes itself felt now in the domain of economics and sociology. We can safely say that one of the most significant tendencies of the latest of the Christian centuries, of the age in which we live, can only be understood through some accurate idea of the course and results of the history of the Middle Ages. There is a unity in history, and all succeeding ages are built upon the foundations then laid down.

Indeed, errors concerning later times are much more easily corrected, and much less dangerous to society and religion, than false conceptions of the character and issue of the mediaeval life and Church. Questions arising from them confront us in society, in the press, and at the ballot-box. To a Protestant Christian and patriot, this knowledge is essential. Protestantism never ignores facts; it always faces truth with an open mind; it can not afford to base faith or judgment upon ignorance or false representation.

This volume is an effort on a restricted canvas to portray the Church and life of the Middle Ages. An eminent scholar has said all mediaeval history is Church history. Certain it is that there is no understanding of Church history which does not take into account the wonderful conservatism of the Byzantine Empire, the conquests of the Saracens, the work of Charlemagne, feudalism, the heathen invasions, the

Introduction. 23

rise of the cities, and the formation and growth of the States of modem Europe. The conversion of the Northern and Eastern nations, their discipline and training, the development of the Church and the course of Christian thought, are firmly outlined. The great center of the whole history, the formation, growth, development, culmination, and decline of the papacy, are treated in detail, as affording the richest instruction to the citizen and the Christian. The endeavor has been to give an accurate presentation of the facts. With the works of eminent scholars of the Roman Catholic Church always at hand, and always consulted, the author is not aware of a statement of fact here made which they would deny. On this ground, and in all endeavors after holiness, the imitation of Christ, and doing Christ's work among men, Protestants and Catholics may stand together, and speak well of each other's work. The Middle Ages belong to both, alike in their glory and in their shame. But we have a right, in this nineteenth century, to know the truth, to set it forth plainly, and let it speak for itself. On the other hand, an author's opinions, clearly distinguished from the facts, are always interesting, and of as great value as the facts and reasons he brings to their support, and no more.

Emperors and kings, some of them not often surpassed in ability and uprightness; and the long line of popes, in which every shade of character appears, sometimes with a juxtaposition and contrast that is startling; and saints and scholars, missionaries and reformers, heroes and martyrs, — lend luster to these pages. What manifoldness and vigor of life, what loftiness of aim, what unselfishness of purpose, what

24 Introduction.

gentleness and valor, what sacrifice and devotion, illuminate this record! The noblest thing in the world is a Christian life, and its result a Christian character. These were not wanting in the ^^iddle Ages. There is, to be sure, a reverse side, of violence and fraud, deceit and lust; and we may not conceal, what Christians of every name deplore, the abuses in the Church, of simony, celibacy, indulgences, and the inquisition; but the Lx5rd of the Church was in these ages, and no generation was without witness to his power. This history teaches by its warnings as well as example. No life can fail to be enriched by companionship with the missionaries, mystics, and saints of these centuries. They won three-fourths of Europe to the Christian faith; they reared Christian institutions, and trained the new races; they are our spiritual ancestors; they fulfill the "increasing purpose" of Him who, as King of ages, is also King of saints.