Hildebrand

Hildebrand: And His Times is a historical book written by William Richard Wood Stephens and published in 1888. The book provides a comprehensive account of the life and times of Pope Gregory VII, who was also known as Hildebrand. The author delves into the political and religious atmosphere of the time, detailing the events that led to Hildebrand's rise to power and his impact on the church and society as a whole.Stephens begins by providing background information on the state of the church in the 11th century, including the corruption and abuses of power that were rampant among the clergy. He then introduces Hildebrand, who was born into a noble family and rose through the ranks of the church to become one of the most influential popes in history.The book explores Hildebrand's efforts to reform the church, which included enforcing celibacy among the clergy, combating simony (the buying and selling of church offices), and asserting the pope's authority over secular rulers. Stephens also examines Hildebrand's conflicts with various rulers, including the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, and his role in the Investiture Controversy, which was a power struggle between the pope and the emperor over the appointment of bishops and other church officials.Throughout the book, Stephens provides detailed accounts of the key events and personalities of the time, drawing on primary sources and historical documents to paint a vivid picture of Hildebrand's world. He also offers insights into the broader social and cultural context of the era, including the rise of feudalism and the emergence of the medieval university system.Overall, Hildebrand: And His Times is a richly detailed and engaging work of historical scholarship that offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the most important figures of the medieval period.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.