Preaching in Medieval England: An Introduction to Sermon Manuscripts of the Period c.1350–1450

G. R. Owst

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511696817

First published in 1926, G. R. Owst's Preaching in Medieval England has remained a seminal work on the topic of English sermons of the period 1350–1450. In studying a largely neglected but important aspect of the medieval religious experience, the author adds considerably to our understanding of the pre-Reformation church. The book is in three parts - the preachers, the circumstances of the preaching and reception, and the sermons themselves. In the first section Owst discusses the different classes of preacher, the secular clergy, monks and particularly the wandering friars, famous for their preaching. In the second part he studies the experience of sermons, how, where and when they were delivered, and to whom. The examination of the sermons covers not only their content and language, but also the surviving manuals on preaching and eloquence, and advice to preachers. This wide ranging and scholarly book remains a crucial work on medieval preaching.

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi
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GENERAL PREFACE
pp vii-viii
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AUTHOR'S PREFACE
pp ix-xiv
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Contents
pp xv-xvi
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ILLUSTRATIONS
pp xvii-xviii
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PART ONE - THE PREACHERS
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CHAP. I - “BISHOPS AND CURATES”
pp 1-47
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CHAP. II - MONKS AND FRIARS
pp 48-95
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CHAP. III - “WANDERING STARS”
pp 96-143
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PART TWO - THE PREACHING SCENE
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CHAP. IV - “INTER MISSARUM SOLLEMNIA”
pp 144-194
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CHAP. V - “AT THE CROSS” AND “IN PROCESSION”
pp 195-221
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PART THREE - THE SERMONS
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CHAP. VI - THE SERMON LITERATURE AND ITS TYPES
pp 222-278
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CHAP. VII - MANUALS AND TREATISES
pp 279-308
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CHAP. VIII - SERMON-MAKING, OR THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SACRED ELOQUENCE
pp 309-354
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APPENDICES
pp 355-362
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INDEX
pp 363-381
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Plate section
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Preaching in Medieval England

An Introduction to Sermon Manuscripts of the Period c.1350–1450

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

GENERAL PREFACE
pp vii-viii

AUTHOR'S PREFACE
pp ix-xiv

Contents
pp xv-xvi

ILLUSTRATIONS
pp xvii-xviii

PART ONE - THE PREACHERS

CHAP. I - “BISHOPS AND CURATES”
pp 1-47

CHAP. II - MONKS AND FRIARS
pp 48-95

CHAP. III - “WANDERING STARS”
pp 96-143

PART TWO - THE PREACHING SCENE

CHAP. IV - “INTER MISSARUM SOLLEMNIA”
pp 144-194

CHAP. V - “AT THE CROSS” AND “IN PROCESSION”
pp 195-221

PART THREE - THE SERMONS

CHAP. VI - THE SERMON LITERATURE AND ITS TYPES
pp 222-278

CHAP. VII - MANUALS AND TREATISES
pp 279-308

CHAP. VIII - SERMON-MAKING, OR THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SACRED ELOQUENCE
pp 309-354

APPENDICES
pp 355-362

INDEX
pp 363-381

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Preaching in Medieval England

An Introduction to Sermon Manuscripts of the Period c.1350–1450

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