Monodies and on the Relics of Saints

By Guibert Of Nogent, Joseph McAlhany (translator),

Book cover of Monodies and on the Relics of Saints: The Autobiography and a Manifesto of a French Monk from Thetime of the Crusades

Book description

The first Western autobiography since Augustine's "Confessions", "The Monodies" is set against the backdrop of the First Crusade and offers stunning insights into medieval society. As Guibert of Nogent intimately recounts his early years, monastic life, and the bloody uprising at Laon in 1112, we witness a world - and…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Monodies and on the Relics of Saints as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The same transformation is vividly described, along with the enormities of archetypically immoral barons and revolting peasants, the murder of a scandalous bishop, and much else, in the memoirs of an abbot from northern France at a time of violent social upheaval and intense personal rivalries, often played out on the stage of religious piety. This is one of the liveliest and most revealing of the many sources translated from this period, excellently introduced by Jay Rubenstein.   

From R.I.'s list on the real Middle Ages.

Want books like Monodies and on the Relics of Saints?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Monodies and on the Relics of Saints.

Browse books like Monodies and on the Relics of Saints

Book cover of Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe
Book cover of Clothing the Clergy: Virtue and Power in Medieval Europe, C. 800 1200
Book cover of The Hanged Man: A Story of Miracle, Memory, and Colonialism in the Middle Ages

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,188

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in France, relics, and Jesus?

France 941 books
Relics 17 books
Jesus 242 books