Robert W. Shaffern . The Penitents' Treasury: Indulgences in Latin Christendom, 1175–1375 . Scranton : University of Scranton Press . 2007 . Pp. x, 240. Cloth $40.00, paper $25.00.
Iben Fonnesberg–Schmidt
Robert W. Shaffern's book offers a most useful modern history of the indulgence in High Middle Ages. Several important articles have been published on this matter (some authored by Shaffern), but an updated, book-length study has lacking English. The volume begins with historiographical chapter that argues “the confessional, polemical historiographies Reformation and Counter-Reformation still influence today's points view” (p. 5) moves to give excellent overview those lines thought before addressing significant innovative contributions Nikolaus Paulus Bernhard Poschmann first half twentieth century. Shaffern then turns origins indulgence. Chapter two (“The Emergence Variety Indulgences”) confirms pardons were granted eleventh century, as some historians long argued, places them within context eleventh-century reforms. It also discusses their precursors penitential regime from early medieval church onward, including use absolutions redemptions Carolingian Ottonian churches; thus takes longer view its subject than implied title.
The American Historical Review