Beacon Lights of History, Volume 05

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Beacon Lights of History,
Volume 05

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Beacon Lights of History, Volume V,
by John Lord
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Title: Beacon Lights of History, Volume V
Author: John Lord
Release Date: December 24, 2003 [eBook #10531]
Language: English
Character set encoding: iso-8859-1
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEACON
LIGHTS OF HISTORY, VOLUME V***
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Editorial note: Project Gutenberg has an earlier version of this work,
which is titled Beacon Lights of History, Volume III, part 1: The
Middle Ages. See E-Book#1498,
http://www.gutenberg.net/etext98/31blh10.txt or
http://www.gutenberg.net/etext98/31blh10.zip The numbering of
volumes in the earlier set reflected the order in which the lectures were
given. In the current (later) version, volumes were numbered to put the
subjects in historical sequence.

LORD'S LECTURES
BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY, VOLUME V
THE MIDDLE AGES.
BY JOHN LORD, LL.D.,
AUTHOR OF "THE OLD ROMAN WORLD," "MODERN
EUROPE," ETC., ETC.

CONTENTS.
MOHAMMED.
SARACENIC CONQUESTS.
Change of public opinion about Mohammed Astonishing triumph of
Mohammedanism Old religious systems of Arabia Polytheism succeeds
the doctrines of the Magians The necessity of reform Early life of
Mohammed Cadijeh Mohammed's meditations and dreams His belief in
a personal God He preaches his new doctrines The opposition and
ridicule of his countrymen The perseverance of Mohammed amid
obstacles His flight to Medina The Koran and its doctrines Change in
Mohammed's mode of propagating his doctrines Polygamy and a

sensual paradise Warlike means to convert Arabia Mohammed
accommodates his doctrines to the habits of his countrymen
Encourages martial fanaticism Conquest of Arabia Private life of
Mohammed, after his success Carlyle's apology for Mohammed The
conquest of Syria and Egypt Conquest of Persia and India Deductions
in view of Saracenic conquests Necessity of supernatural aid in the
conversion of the world Authorities
CHARLEMAGNE.
REVIVAL OF WESTERN EMPIRE.
Ancestry and early life of Charlemagne The Merovingian princes
Condition of Europe on the accession of Charlemagne Necessity for
such a hero to arise His perils and struggles Wars with the Saxons The
difficulties of the Saxon conquest Forced conversion of the Saxons The
Norman pirates Conquest of the Avares Unsuccessful war with the
Saracens The Lombard wars Coronation of Charlemagne at Home
Imperialism and its influences The dismemberment of Charlemagne's
empire Foundation of Feudalism Charlemagne as a legislator His
alliance with the clergy His administrative abilities Reasons why he
patronized the clergy Results of Charlemagne's policy Hallam's
splendid eulogy Authorities
HILDEBRAND.
THE PAPAL EMPIRE.
Wonderful government of the Papacy Its vitality Its contradictions Its
fascinations The crimes of which it is accused General character of the
popes Gregory VII. the most famous His personal history His
autocratic ideas His reign at the right time Society in Europe in the
eleventh century Character of the clergy The monks, and the need of
reform Character of the popes before Gregory VII. Celibacy of the
clergy Alliance of the Papacy and Monasticism Opposition to the
reforms of Hildebrand Terrible power of excommunication Simony and
its evils Secularization of the clergy Separation of spiritual from
temporal power Henry IV. of Germany Approaching strife between

Henry and Hildebrand Their respective weapons Henry summoned to
Rome Excommunication of Henry Henry deserted and disarmed
Compelled to yield to Hildebrand His great mistake Renewed contest
Humiliation of the Pope Moral effects of the contest Speculations about
the Papal power Authorities
SAINT BERNARD.
MONASTIC INSTITUTIONS.
Antiquity of Monastic life Causes which led to it Oriental asceticism
Religious contemplation Insoluble questions Self-expiations Basil the
founder of Monasticism His interesting history Gregory Nazianzen
Vows of the monks Their antagonism to prevailing evils Vow of
Poverty opposed to money-making That of Chastity a protest against
prevailing impurity Origin of celibacy Its subsequent corruption
Necessity of the vow of Obedience Benedict and the Monastery of
Monte Casino His rules generally adopted Lofty and useful life of the
early monks Growth and wealth of Monastic institutions Magnificence
of Mediaeval convents Privileges of the monks Luxury of the
Benedictines Relaxation of discipline Degeneracy of the monks
Compared with secular clergy Benefits which Monasticism conferred
Learning of the monks Their common life Revival of Learning Rise of
Scholasticism Saint Bernard His early piety and great attainments His
vast moral influence His reforms and labors Rise of Dominicans and
Franciscans Zeal of the mendicant friars General benefits of Monastic
institutions Authorities
SAINT ANSELM.
MEDIAEVAL THEOLOGY.
Birth and early life of Anselm The Abbey of Bec Scholarly life of
Anselm Visits of Anselm