Penance in Medieval Europe, 600–1200

by Rob Meens

Penance has traditionally been viewed exclusively as the domain of church history but penance and confession also had important social functions in medieval society. In this book, Rob Meens comprehensively reassesses the evidence from late antiquity to the thirteenth century, employing a broad range of sources, including letters, documentation of saints' lives, visions, liturgical texts, monastic rules and conciliar legislation from across Europe. Recent discoveries have unearthed fascinating new evidence, established new relationships between key texts and given more attention to the manuscripts in which penitential books are found. Many of these discoveries and new approaches are revealed here for the first time to a general audience. Providing a full and up-to-date overview of penitential literature during the period, Meens sets the rituals of penance and confession in their social contexts, providing the first introduction to this fundamental feature of medieval religion and society for more than fifty years.

Genres: History

290 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2014

Reviews

[C. A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical survey of penance, as it was practiced from the High Middle Ages to the twelfth century. Meens observes a shift from penance being a formalized exterior ritual, to it becoming interiorized. He examines primarily penitential books, and concludes with Abelard.

[benjamin uhlenkott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the many (scholarly) details the author thoroughly researched about the Sacrament of Penance through the medieval Church and people’s desire to be holy. If someone was to read this book, I’d suggest two things 1) you need to have a considerable interest in the topic and 2) read the conclusion first, which would make reading the chapters far more accessible. Overall, this is a book I would have enjoyed in seminary had it been required reading.