Wayward Monks and the Religious Revolution of the Eleventh Century

Focussing on the German empire, this book explains the diversification of monasticism during a period of great change, in particular a shift towards a greater interest in lay religious life. Jestics investigates the changing role of monks in society and examines monastic values in such areas as misionary work, public preaching, pilgrimage and the gregorian reform. It is based on monastic writings, particularly polemics and also uses hagiography.