The volume offers a completely re-conceived introduction to the church history of the Middle Ages, emerging from academic teaching practice. The presentation covers 1,000 years of Christian history from the end of Late Antiquity to the eve of the Reformation. Key topics include the Christianization of Europe, the fundamental conflict regarding the relationship between Regnum and Sacerdotium, the evolution of the episcopal office, monasticism and religious orders, the poverty movement and the Inquisition, as well as the Crusades. Separate sections are dedicated to the developments in church history during the Late Middle Ages, medieval theology, and the history of piety. Students of Catholic and Protestant theology, as well as history, will find here the examination-relevant foundational knowledge of medieval church history and up-to-date annotated literature references.