Whatever may be one’s beliefs, a realization of the power and import of the Christian Faith is needed for an understanding of the thoughts and feelings moving the men and women of the Middle Ages, and for a just appreciation of their aspirations and ideals. Perhaps the fittest standard to apply to them is one’s own broadest conception of the Christian scheme, the Christian scheme whole and entire with the full life of Christ’s Gospel. Every age has offered an interpretation of that Gospel and an attempt at fulfilment. Neither the interpretation of the Church Fathers, nor that of the Middle Ages satisfies us now. And by our further understanding of life and the Gospel of life, we criticize the judgment of mediaeval men. We have to sympathize with their best, and understand their lives out of their lives and the conditions in which they were passed. But we must judge according to our own best wisdom, and out of ourselves offer our comment and contribution. HENRY OSBORN TAYLOR. Many translations from mediaeval (chiefly Latin) writings will be found in this work, which seeks to make the Middle Ages speak for themselves. With a very few exceptions, mentioned in the foot-notes, these translations are my own. I have tried to keep them literal, and at all events free from the intrusion of thoughts and suggestions not in the originals. CONTENTS PAGE BOOK I THE GROUNDWORK CHAPTER I GENESIS OF THE MEDIAEVAL GENIUS 3 CHAPTER II THE LATINIZING OF THE WEST 23 CHAPTER III GREEK PHILOSOPHY AS THE ANTECEDENT OF THE PATRISTIC APPREHENSION OF FACT 33 CHAPTER IV INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS OF THE LATIN FATHERS 61 CHAPTER V LATIN TRANSMITTERS OF ANTIQUE AND PATRISTIC THOUGHT 88 CHAPTER VI THE BARBARIC DISRUPTION OF THE EMPIRE 110 CHAPTER VII THE CELTIC STRAIN IN GAUL AND IRELAND 124 CHAPTER VIII TEUTON QUALITIES: ANGLO-SAXON, GERMAN, NORSE 138 CHAPTER IX THE BRINGING OF CHRISTIANITY AND ANTIQUE KNOWLEDGE TO THE NORTHERN PEOPLES 169 I. Irish Activities; Columbanus of Luxeuil. II. Conversion of the English; the learning of Bede and Alfred. III. Gaul and Germany; from Clovis to St. Winifried-Boniface. BOOK II THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES CHAPTER X CAROLINGIAN PERIOD: THE FIRST STAGE IN THE APPROPRIATION OF THE PATRISTIC AND ANTIQUE 207 CHAPTER XI MENTAL ASPECTS OF THE ELEVENTH CENTURY: ITALY 238 I. From Charlemagne to Hildebrand. II. The Human Situation.