Power and Faith: Politics and Religion in Western Europe from the Tenth to the Thirteenth Century

Power and Faith explores the political and religious landscape of Western Europe between the tenth and thirteenth centuries, tracing the origins of dominant nation-states and religious institutions. It offers a comprehensive overview of the period, considering social and economic themes and the influence of the Papacy and the Crusades.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 05 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Between the tenth and thirteenth centuries, Western Europe experienced significant political and religious transformations. This period marked the emergence of dominant nation-states and religious institutions that would shape the course of European history for centuries to come. In his book, Power and Faith: The Origins of Dominant Nation-States and Religious Institutions in the West, historian John France explores the complex web of factors that contributed to these developments.

The book offers a comprehensive chronological framework for understanding and analyzing the emerging polities of Western Europe during this period. It provides a detailed examination of the influence of the Papacy and the Crusades on Christian life and culture, as well as a consideration of major social and economic themes such as urbanization, rural revolution, and the role of women in politics, religion, and society.

Power and Faith is divided into six parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the period. Part one sets out the scope and aims of the book and discusses the sources used. Parts two and six provide overviews of the political and religious states of affairs in Europe at the start and end of the period, respectively.

Framed by these sections, the book is divided into three chronologically-ordered parts, each containing three chapters. The first chapter offers a brief account of the main historiography of the period concerned, the second provides a thorough account and analysis of the main political developments across Europe during the period, and the third explores the main religious changes.

Throughout the book, France employs a rich array of sources, including primary documents, secondary literature, and archaeological evidence, to shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of the period. He also provides a thoughtful and nuanced interpretation of the events and trends that shaped Western Europe during this critical juncture.

Power and Faith is an essential introductory guide for students and researchers interested in politics, religion, and society in Western Europe during the middle ages. It offers a comprehensive and accessible account of the period's key developments and provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between power, faith, and society in medieval Europe.

Weight: 1020g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367821388