Table of Contents Preface Introduction 1. The Importance of Monasticism in Western European Medieval Society 2. Some Defining Characteristics of Christian Monasticism 3. Early Western European Monasticism 4. An Overview of Medieval Monastic Callings 5. Notable Medieval Abbeys and Monasteries 6. The Economic Roles of Monks 7. Monks and Vineyards 8.

Armed Monks 9. Medieval Academic Life 10. Scholasticism 11. Medieval Heresy 12. Monks in the Scriptorium 13. Monks and Medicine 14. Alchemy and the Mendicant Orders 15. Nuns 16.

Beguines 17. Early Irish Beliefs and Irish Monasticism 18. The Monk Raoul Glaber Meets the Devil 19. Robert d'Arbrissel: Controversial Breton Hermit and Monk 20. Chaucer's Literary Sketches 21. Peter Abelard: ­Pre-Eminent Theologian and ­Ill-Fated Lover 22. Eustache: French Monk and Pirate 23. The Monk Matthew Paris: So Good at So Many Things 24.

Monastic Sheep Farming 25. Evaluating the Black Death 26. Fountains Abbey 27. The Poisoned Chalice and Fatal Affray of Furness Abbey 28. Medieval Pilgrims 29. Goliards: Wandering Poets 30. François Villon: Murder and Poetry in Medieval France 31. Limiting the Number of Monks 32.

The Avignon Papacy Assessment: The Inherent Features of Medieval Monastic Life in Western Europe Appendix 1. The Medieval Renaissance of the 12th Century Appendix 2. The Canticle of the Sun Appendix 3. "The Splendors of Avignon and the Evils of the Times" Appendix 4. A Medieval Pilgrimage to Jerusalem Appendix 5. ­Far-Ranging Friars: John of Montecorvino and Odoric of Pordenone Appendix 6. "Lightning Chastises the Monks" Appendix 7. The "Clerical Estate" in England in the Later Middle Ages Appendix 8.

Monastic Rivalries in Medieval Paris Chronology Chapter Notes Bibliography Index.