The Transformation of the Irish Church in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries

First extended study of the ways in which the Irish church changed radically in the twelfth century in response to reform movements from Europe.The twelfth century saw a wide-ranging transformation of the Irish church, a regional manifestation of a wider pan-European reform movement. This book, the first to offer a full account of this change, moves away from the previousconcentration on the restructuring of Irish dioceses and episcopal authority, and the introduction of Continental monastic observances, to widen the discussion. It charts changes in the religious culture experienced by the laityas well as the clergy and takes account of the particular Irish experience within the wider European context. The universal ideals that were defined with increasing clarity by Continental advocates of reform generated a series of initiatives from Irish churchmen aimed at disseminating reform ideology within clerical circles and transmitting it also to lay society, even if, as elsewhere, it often proved difficult to implement in practice. Whatever theobstacles faced by reformist clergy, their genuine concern to transform the Irish church and society cannot be doubted, and is attested in a range of hitherto unexploited sources this volume draws upon. Marie Therese Flanagan is Professor of Medieval History at the Queen's University of Belfast. The twelfth century saw a wide-ranging transformation of the Irish church, a regional manifestation of a wider pan-European reform movement. This book, the first to offer a full account of this change, moves away from the previous concentration on the restructuring of Irish dioceses and episcopal authority, and the introduction of Continental monastic observances, to widen the discussion. It charts changes in the religious culture experienced by the laity as well as the clergy and takes account of the particular Irish experience within the wider European context. The universal ideals that were defined with increasing clarity by Continental advocates of reform generated a series of initiatives from Irish churchmen aimed at disseminating reform ideology within clerical circles and transmitting it also to lay society, even if, as elsewhere, it often proved difficult to implement in practice. Whatever the obstacles faced by reformist clergy, their genuine concern to transform the Irish church and society cannot be doubted, and is attested in a range of hitherto unexploited sources this volume draws upon. Marie Therese Flanagan is Professor of Medieval History at the Queen's University of Belfast Frontcover......Page 1 CONTENTS......Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 8 INTRODUCTION......Page 12 1 Charting change in the twelfth-century Irish church: the problem of sources......Page 14 2 ‘Regulating the dioceses of the bishops of Ireland’......Page 47 Gillebertus’s treatise on ecclesiastical grades......Page 67 3 ‘A mirror and model’: exemplary bishops and episcopal culture......Page 105 4 ‘Restoring the monastic and canonical rules of the church in Ireland’: St Malachy and monastic reform......Page 131 Malachy’s introduction of Cistercian monasticism......Page 136 The introduction of the customs of Arrouaise......Page 149 Cîteaux, Arrouaise and Savigny......Page 167 The impact of new monasticism on established monasticism......Page 174 5 ‘Rules and good conduct’: the re-formation of lay society......Page 182 War and violence......Page 184 Marriage in twelfth-century Ireland......Page 197 Ecclesiastical patronage, gift-giving and alms......Page 209 6 ‘Right faith and good actions’: lay piety and devotion......Page 216 CONCLUSION: UNIVERSAL IDEALS AND REGIONAL RESPONSES......Page 256 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 262 INDEX......Page 296 Backcover ......Page 312 The twelfth century saw a wide-ranging transformation of the Irish church, a regional manifestation of a wider pan-European reform movement. This book moves away from the previous concentration on the restructuring of Irish dioceses and episcopal authority, and the introduction of Continental monastic observances, to widen the discussion. It charts changes in the religious culture experienced by the laity as well as the clergy and takes account of the particular Irish experience within the wider European context. The universal ideals that were defined with increasing clarity by Continental advocates of reform generated a series of initiatives from Irish churchmen aimed at disseminating reform ideology within clerical circles and transmitting it also to lay society, even if, as elsewhere, it often proved difficult to implement in practice. Whatever the obstacles faced by reformist clergy, their genuine concern to transform the Irish church and society cannot be doubted, and is attested in a range of hitherto unexploited sources this volume draws upon. --From publisher's description. Frontcover 1 CONTENTS 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8 INTRODUCTION 12 1 Charting change in the twelfth-century Irish church: the problem of sources 14 Bishops and dioceses 47 2 ‘Regulating the dioceses of the bishops of Ireland’ 47 Gillebertus’s treatise on ecclesiastical grades 67 3 ‘A mirror and model’: exemplary bishops and episcopal culture 105 Varieties of monasticism 131 4 ‘Restoring the monastic and canonical rules of the church in Ireland’: St Malachy and monastic reform 131 Malachy’s introduction of Cistercian monasticism 136 The introduction of the customs of Arrouaise 149 Cîteaux, Arrouaise and Savigny 167 The impact of new monasticism on established monasticism 174 Lay society 182 5 ‘Rules and good conduct’: the re-formation of lay society 182 War and violence 184 Marriage in twelfth-century Ireland 197 Ecclesiastical patronage, gift-giving and alms 209 6 ‘Right faith and good actions’: lay piety and devotion 216 CONCLUSION: UNIVERSAL IDEALS AND REGIONAL RESPONSES 256 BIBLIOGRAPHY 262 INDEX 296 Backcover 312 Charting Change In The Twelfth Century Irish Church : The Problem Of Sources -- Bishops And Dioceses. 'regulating The Diocese Of The Bishops Of Ireland' -- Gillebertus's Treatise On Ecclesiastical Grades -- 'a Mirror And Model' : Exemplary Bishops And Episcopal Culture -- Varieties Of Monasticism. 'restoring The Monastic And Canonical Rules Of The Church In Ireland' : St. Malachy And Monastic Reform -- Malachy's Introduction Of Cistercian Monasticism -- The Introduction Of The Customs Of Arrouaise -- Cîteaux, Arrouaise And Savigny -- The Impact Of New Monasticism On Established Monasticism -- Lay Society. 'rules And Good Conduct' : The Reformation Of Lay Society -- War And Violence -- Marriage In Twelfth Century Ireland -- Ecclesiastical Patronage, Gift Giving And Alms -- 'right Faith And Good Actions' : Lay Piety And Devotion -- Conclusion: Universal Ideals And Regional Responses. Marie Therese Flanagan. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.