Christianity and Paganism, 350-750: The Conversion of Western Europe

by J.N. Hillgarth (Editor)

"Using sermons, exorcisms, letters, biographies of the saints, inscriptions, autobiographical and legal documents -- some of which are translated nowhere else -- Hillgarth shows how the Christian Church went about the formidable task of converting Western Europe. He has given preference to writings which were aimed at a concrete and identifiable audience -- a recently converted king or barely converted peasants -- and which directly reflect the aspirations of the clergy and monks who were forming the new ideals of Christian Europe." --back cover

This is a revised and enlarged edition of The Conversion of Western Europe, 350-750.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Paganism, Christianity

232 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1969

Reviews

[Steven Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explained a lot of this period without exaggerating or speculating, as many historians have historically done. It's probably not the final word on the topic but it certainly adds to it. The cautiousness with which the author takes dispels some of the hype and myth that surrounds this topic. Hillgarth does a good job of stripping out the pageantry and romanticism that seems to be included in some Early Medieval histories.

[John Majerle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent historical reference. Definitely not light reading. I learned a lot.

[Abhimanyu Choudhary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing. As a previous member of the Catholic Church and a novice enthusiast of history, I was easily engrossed in reading the very documents, letters, sermons, and inscriptions from which we learn the growing institutionalization of the Church and its efforts to convert the Pagan world of the Middle Ages.

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I trudged through this book and gosh darnit, I'm going to list it!