The Medieval Idea of Marriage [Hardcover]

Offering an in-depth look at the nature of medieval marriage, Christopher Brooke surveys current approaches to the idea of marriage, exploring the practice and law of marriage, the cult of celibacy in the 11th and 12th centuries, and the relationship between marriage and architecture. He draws on a wide range of case studies and other sources, including the letters of Heloise and Abelard, the epics of Wolfram von Eschenbach, and Chaucer's poetry.

A very personal book as well as a very scholarly one, in which the author's ability to identify with particular people in the past gains added perspective from his own profound ruminations on human relationships. --New York Review of Books

A deft synthesis of the different traditions that fed into the medieval definition of marriage...Undoubtably a valuable book. There is no parallel overview of medieval marriage in English. Moreover, none employs an interdisciplinary approach to such good effect. --Albion

The strengths of the volume are its elegant but relaxed conversational style, but more its seemingly limitless erudition...A valuable entree and enticement to amore inclusive examination of a fascinating portion of Christian history. --Theological Studies

Recommended to anyone with an interest in medieval marriage. --Scintilla

Shed(s) fascinating light on celibacy and marriage in the Middle Ages. --History of Education Quarterly

Provides some fascinating insights. --The Sunday Times(London)