The Proprietary Church in the Medieval West

This book examines in what ways and how far medieval churches were treated as items of property. It ranges over most of Western Europe, from beginnings in the late Roman Empire and post-Roman kingdoms, into the Carolingian empire and its neighbours and successor states; and through the Gregorian reform, up to the late twelfth century when property in churches was patchily superseded by the canon-law right of patronage. The approach is as much social and religious as legal and administrative, and explores ideas and assumptions as well as practical exploitation and property dealings.