The Practice of Penance, 900-1050

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Focusing on penitential practices in the Holy Roman Empire from c.900 to c.1050, this study reveals a pivotal yet overlooked period in the evolution of penance. By analyzing church law, liturgy, and various sources, it challenges the notion that significant changes occurred solely in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, highlighting earlier developments. The author investigates the dynamics between churchmen and laity, the continuity from the Carolingian era, and the impact of clerical aspirations, enhancing our understanding of pre-Gregorian mentalities.