Though united nominally by the Church of Rome, medieval Europe was in fact a diverse society, in terms of belief and social practices. This diversity led to controversy and upheaval in the centuries after 1000, as religious authorities demanded greater uniformity and obedience. This book of essays by leading scholars is about the sources of dissent and diversity in medieval society and the Church's attempt to repress dissent and enforce conformity to its beliefs between the years 1000 and 1500. No book has hitherto attempted so broad an approach to the issue of discontent in medieval Europe.

Though united nominally by the Church of Rome, medieval Europe was in fact a diverse society, in terms of belief and social practices. This diversity led to controversy and upheaval in the centuries after 1000, as religious authorities demanded greater uniformity and obedience. This book of essays by leading scholars is about the sources of dissent and diversity in medieval society and the Church's attempt to repress dissent and enforce conformity to its beliefs between the years 1000 and 1500. No book has hitherto attempted so broad an approach to the issue of discontent in medieval Europe.