Glimpses of the dark ages; or, Sketches of the social condition of Europe, from the fifth to the twelfth century

abbot according ancient appears authority barbarians barons became bishop brethren buildings called castle century character chief Christ Christian church civilisation clergy close common condition corruption court dark ages described Divine doubt early ecclesiastical effect elements emperor empire employed England established estates Europe evil existed fact feudal fiefs France gave give habits hand held hold hundred ignorance influence instances institutions Italy kind king land latter laws lived look lord ments middle ages mind monastery monastic monks moral nature noble observed once origin pagan perhaps period persons possessed practice present principle probably produced received relation remained remarked render respecting rise Roman Rome rules Saxon scenes seen side slaves social society spirit taste things tion towns vassals vices walls whole writing