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The Stripping of the Altars

Traditional Religion in England, 1400-1580

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The Stripping of the Altars

By: Eamon Duffy
Narrated by: Nigel Patterson
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About this listen

This prize-winning account of the pre-Reformation church recreates lay people's experience of religion, showing that late-medieval Catholicism was neither decadent nor decayed, but a strong and vigorous tradition. For this edition, Duffy has written a new introduction reflecting on recent developments in our understanding of the period.

©1992 Eamon Duffy (P)2023 Tantor Christianity History Middle Ages Tradition
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So it turns out that Catholics were not so evil after all, despite all we were told.

A new and more balanced understanding of the Reformation.

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Arguably one of the most important books about religious history written in the twentieth century, Duffy's Stripping of the Altars expertly counters the Reformation logic of most accounts of British Christianity. Far from abandoning Catholicism, late medieval and early modern people simply got on with their devotional Catholic lives despite the theological wrangles of royalty and government. The book is WONDERFULLY read. Nigel Patterson is a fantastic narrator of history books and he really captures the detail and pace of Duffy's book. Sadly, Duffy's other books are read by him on Audible, and they are almost unlistenable to - a fabulous historian, Duffy is a terrible narrator. A note to Audible authors - please let the professionals read your books!

Brilliantly read classic of religious history

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The subject is a special interest of mine but it's a very accessible book and narrated in an engaging - but not at all in a condescending - manner so I think anyone with even a passing interest in the Tudor period, ecclesiastical history, social history, social anthropology or social change in general would find this a fascinating listen.

gripping and thorough account

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