Christendom and Christianity in the Middle Ages: The Relations between Religion, Church, and Society by Adriaan H. Bredero
Francis R. Swietek
636BOOK REVIEWS Medieval Christendom and Christianity in the Middle Ages: The Relations between Religion, Church, Society. By Adriaan H. Bredero. Translated by Reinder Bruinsma. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1994. Pp. xiii, 402. »2999) Bredero, professor emeritus of medieval history at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, has, over a distinguished career, published many scholarly articles two important monographs, Cluny et Cîteaux au douzième siècle (Amsterdam, 1985) andBernardas van Clairvaux (1091—1153): tussen Cultus en Historie (Kampen, 1993). present collection essays, assembled mostly from lectures, reviews, previously printed pieces, first appeared Dutch 1986, then second edition 1987. This translation is based on latter, but author has made further revisions added chapter early Franciscan Order, which had been separately 1988. Despite its composite character, volume embodies an overall plan purpose. Convinced that proper historical understanding anything requires grounding social context—a point he reiterates repeatedly— Bredero expresses concern contemporary conceptions Catholic Church are too often unaware how shaped forces peculiar to past times (p. 277); particular, worries idealization "Christian Ages" can blind believers necessary distinctions transcendental values tradition those elements were temporally conditioned might therefore be changed, or—to put it another way—to "how our still is" Lx). To combat this ahistorical tendency, intends show was not static or unchanging entity, one possessed "the ability ... experience crucial moments aggiomamento, adaptation prevented degradation institution salvation into relic past" 8). Such awareness, implies, will facilitate aggiomamento called for own day Second Vatican Council, helping ensure both preservation purification tradition. begins with supple, frequently insightful overview development European Ages fifteenth century, proceeds investigate individual process: topics treated include significance Jerusalem religious thought practice, nature thepaxDei movement impact society, changing sanctity, slender boundary reformist impulses heresy, character anti-Semitism. His arguments evince wide learning impressive draw perceptive, imaginative conclusions evidence. Nonetheless, should come as no surprise studies leave greatest impression BOOK reviews637 subjects special expertise: Cistercians Cluniacs notably strong, periodic references Bernard ofClairvaux unfailingly enlightening. Likewise, final chapter—a substantial survey life Low Countries 1050 1384—is particularly impressive. But despite strengths, book somewhat problematical general work apparently aspires be. rearranged supplemented original material obvious care, ultimately does .entirely escape patchwork quality; most apparent very close, when review suddenly appears appendix, little relation what preceded. annotation, moreover, relatively scanty (and eccentric): inclusion secondary sources unannotated bibliography excuse failure cite them text where reference would have natural (e.g., Le Goffs Time, Work Culture p. 78, McKitterick's Carolingians Written Word 357). Even more troubling instances oftextual imprecision significanüy impede understanding. One forgive occasional misspelling ('?ß? Enghen" "Van Engen" 321, n. 2) merely technical oversight, just explain away unfortunate transposition Council Soissons 1121 1211 232). average reader may become justifiably irritated...
Catholic Historical Review