Penitentials and the practice of penance in the tenth and eleventh centuries
Rob Meens
This article reconsiders the function of penitentials in tenth and eleventh centuries; were they used mainly to support priests administration penance, or rather as legal texts either episcopal court schoolroom? Through an examination evidence manuscripts from across Europe, it shows that whilst few new composed, many older ones, especially those which gave their authorities, continued be copied this period, most preserved a than pastoral context. Finally, suggests shift towards collections nature indicates not only tighter control, but also concern for better training priests.
Early Medieval Europe