And the Rich Man Also Died; and He Was Buried in Hell - The Social Ethos in Mendicant Sermons (Paperback)

13th century, once seen as a golden age, was nevertheless for many a poor man, a time of hunger and despair. Between one third and one half of the population was constantly below the level of sustenance. Thirteenth century also was a heyday of mendicant orders. These orders swore in the name of apostolic life (vita apostolica). One essential feature of apostolic life was voluntary poverty which was seen as a means of salvation. This book, however, concentrates on mendicant views on actual poverty. Dealing with the ever present problems of poverty, wealth and social injustice and how they were dealt with in the Middle Ages it may contain some lessons for our own time.