Beacon Lights of History, Volume 3 part 1: The Middle Ages

From the opening

Antiquity of Monastic life Causes which led to it Oriental asceticism Religious contemplation Insoluble questions Self-expiations Basil the founder of Monasticism His interesting history Gregory Nazianzen Vows of the monks Their antagonism to prevailing evils Vow of Poverty opposed to money-making That of Chastity a protest against prevailing impurity Origin of celibacy Its subsequent corruption Necessity of the vow of Obedience Benedict and the Monastery of Monte Casino His rules generally adopted Lofty and useful life of the early monks Growth and wealth of Monastic institutions Magnificence of Mediaeval convents Privileges of the monks Luxury of the Benedictines Relaxation of discipline Degeneracy of the monks Compared with secular clergy Benefits which Monasticism conferred Learning of the monks Their common life Revival of Learning Rise of Scholasticism Saint Bernard His early piety and great attainments. His vast moral influence His reforms and labors Rise of Dominicans and Franciscans. Zeal of the mendicant friars General benefits of Monastic institutions Authorities

Birth and early life of Anselm The Abbey of Bee Scholarly life of Anselm Visits of Anselm to England Compared with Becket Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury Privileges of the Archbishop Unwillingness of Anselm to be elevated Lanfranc succeeded by Anselm Quarrel between Anselm and William Rufus Despotic character of William Disputed claims of Popes Urban and Clement Council of Rockingham Royal efforts to depose Anselm Firmness and heroism of Anselm Duplicity of the king His intrigues with the Pope Pretended reconciliation with Anselm Appeals to Rome Inordinate claims of the Pope Allegiance of Anselm to the Pope Anselm at Rome Death of William and Accession of Henry I. Royal encroachments Henry quarrels with Anselm Results of the quarrel Anselm as a theologian Theology of the Middle Ages Monks become philosophers Gotschalk and predestination John Scotus Erigena Revived spirit of inquiry Services of Anselm to theology He brings philosophy to support theology Combats Nominalism His philosophical deductions His devout Christian spirit Authorities

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