Penitence, Preaching, and the Coming of the Reformation

This book examines teachings concerning the sacrament of penance as presented in sermons which were collected and printed for the use of preachers between 1450 and 1520. It demonstrates that the characteristic emphases given to the penitential message varied significantly from region to region across Europe, and more importantly that a strong correlation emerges between these regional variations and sixteenth century patterns of religious change (ie, the spread of Protestantism).