Exactly what role did religion play in Europe in the Middle Ages?; Was medieval society really as devout as we think?; John Arnold looks beneath the surface and finds a much more complex and interesting picture than conventional wisdom suggests.



Religion in medieval Europe was hugely important, and impinged upon the most mundane transactions and everyday experiences. But was the period a uniform 'Age of Faith'? By focussing on the ordinary laity, this fascinating account unlocks the multiple meanings of religion, asking how it functioned and with what effects. Holiness, piety and belief are explained and contextualized, as are heresy, dissent and superstition. The themes explored include religious acculturation, community, intercession and Christian identity as well as occasions of unbelief and lay people's rejection of the Church's message. This study deftly uncovers the meanings and struggles that lay below the smooth surface of medieval religious observance for the modern reader.