The Papal Monarchy: Western Church from 1050 to 1250 (Oxford History of the Christian Church) - Tapa dura

Today's generation has seen the dissolution of Christendom in its old form and this study re-evaluates the building of a Christian society between 1050 and 1250 as the most creative period in the history of the Church; when the Church influenced the growth of western society perhaps more profoundly than any other time. The emergence of much that is considered characteristic of of European culture and religion included universities and commercial cities, the crusades, the inquisition, papal government, the college of cardinals, canon law, the friars, the confessional, chivalry, hospitals and marriage in it "western" form, as well as great catherdrals, fine village churches and a new Christian folklore. In all these developments, the Roman Church and the bishops were involved and in some of them they were the initiators.