Religion in the Medieval West

This book was a foundational textbook in a college history course called "Religion and Dissent in the Middle Ages," and it was an eye-opening read. I learned new things on almost every page, and it helped me understand the Middle Ages better, as well as later developments in European history. (I am a history major.) I read these sorts of books for fun, but you may not be the same way.

The one essential tool I think those who are seriously interested in the Middle Ages need is a good reference text on Medieval Catholicism. Without a good understanding of the Church and Christendom, there simply cannot be a good understanding of the texts or of the society. Even most contemporary Roman Catholics have forgotten (or never understood) topics such as the medieval concept of sin (mortal, venial, original), monasticism, fasting, the use of psalters, rosaries, breviaries, etc. To fill in the knowledge gaps in these and other areas, I use and strongly recommend this book. I discovered it 8-10 years ago at Cambridge University where it was wildly praised and widely read. It may not be a book you'd want to read straight through (though you could do so because it's not that long), but it is one that you'll want to consult again and again as a reference text.

The book does not assume a great knowledge of Catholic beliefs, practices and history, although it is written in a scholarly style, and is aimed at University level readers. Within the class of textbooks, it is an easy read, and full of fascinating titbits. Did you know that there were Catholics in China in the 13th century? The book does contain some church history, but is more interested in the beliefs and practices of ordinary people, and their interaction with the church. Highly recommended especially to people interested in everyday medieval life.