Penance in Medieval Europe 600–1200 by Rob Meens
Owen M. Phelan
Reviewed by: Penance in Medieval Europe 600–1200 by Rob Meens Owen M. Phelan Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014 x + 282 pages. Paperback. $35.99. brings to a happy culmination distinguished scholar's more than twenty-year engagement with the sources of medieval penitential practice. In six chronologically arranged chapters tucked between an introductory chapter and conclusion, weaves compelling narrative for evolution penance over half millennium. The study is distinctive its focus on manuscripts texts traditions author's effort recover contextualize practices through analysis narrative, theological, canonical sources. addition providing general survey, draws reader's attention four points he finds pivotal understanding penance. First, earliest concentrate socially disruptive sins. Second, are pervasive across time period considered. Third, ecclesiastical control disciplines increases time. Fourth, at no during Middle Ages did people believe that was merely outward or mechanical gesture. A brief lays out principal ideas outlines modern historiography Chapter 2 inaugurates Meens' late antique legacy penance, focusing simultaneously political, pastoral, ritual dimensions. Through like Gelasian sacramentary various conciliar canons, shows concerns revolved around healing reconciliation sinners community this concern widely deeply held among Christians. 3 moves discussion insular world, especially Britain Ireland, uses normative sources, such as penitentials saints' vitae, illumine monastic inspirations new show confession comes [End Page 92] be seen salutary not just reconciliatory. 4 juxtaposes visionary track influence Anglo-Saxon England Frankish Gaul. sees pastoral wide-ranging lay anxieties driving interest explaining expansion reflections consider increasingly specific particular 5 examines Carolingian renewal. studies transmission earlier penitentials, discusses treatment councils, depictions composition penitentials. He concludes deep ever, vigorous debates raging reveal increasing episcopal disciplines, even one approach set dominates. 6 explores tenthand eleventh-century decrees, liturgies, vernacular texts, works. It also surveys aristocratic practices, instance, deditio, genres, crusading literature. observes remains major theme Christian writings boundary begins form judgments canon law. 7 briefly considers twelfth century. explains changes afoot, but continuities remain whether looks legal Decretum, theological authors, Peter Abelard. On hand, argues, growing complexity thinking finally separates from law while rise university culture methodologies popularly used explain explore other invested amelioration sin guilt variety traditional forms. conclusion summarizes findings re-emphasizes key contributions identified outset. book West. Laying aside scholarly models public vs. private, ethical ritual, pagan, strict yields rich sophisticated story importance western European 93] Christians 500 years. sure both students scholars history Christianity, well...
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