The Devil's world

"In his new study, Andrew Roach places the rise and fall of the heresies of the central middle ages in their broader context. He argues that the emergence of heresy in the twelfth century reflected lay impatience with the monopoly of the medieval Church. Unprecedented consumer choice in food, clothing and less tangible products such as troubadour entertainment and higher education meant that people looked at religion in a new light. Not only did they expect to be cared for in this life and the next, but they also hoped to enhance their wealth and social standing through their involvement in religious organisations. Consequently, they turned to informal groups such as the Cathars and Waldensians who were there at pivotal moments in their lives and offered them simple theology, explained through preaching."--BOOK JACKET.