Innocent III and Monastic Reform
Abstract
Innocent was as great a reformer as he was an administrator and statesman. A survey of his letters shows his constant interest in the moral conditions of the secular and regular clergy, and he left no doubt as to his absolute de- termination to clear up the situation. There were so many things to be done, and he affected so many phases of religious life, that for our dissertation it has been necessary to limit the discussion to one aspect of his method of reform, that is, his defence of the monasteries against episcopal and lay aggression. This topic will be treated in detail in chapters three and four, since it was the foundation of his whole system of reform. Since it is interesting to note how varied were the actions of Innocent in combatting the evils of his day, a general view of his method will perhaps provide an excellent background for our more detailed study in the succeeding chapters.
Subject Area
History|Medieval history
Recommended Citation
Connorton, John V, "Innocent III and Monastic Reform" (1938). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28960356.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28960356
