List of abbreviations; Introduction J. H. Burns; Part I. Foundations: 1. Christian doctrine Henry Chadwick; 2. Greek and Roman political theory John Procopé; 3. Roman law P. G. Stein; Part II. Byzantium: 4. Byzantine political thought D. M. Nicol; Part III. Beginnings: c.350-c.750: 5. Introduction: the West R. A. Markus; 6. The Latin fathers R. A. Markus; 7. The barbarian kingdoms P. D. King; Part IV. Formation: c.750-c.1150: 8. Introduction: the formation of political thought in the west D. E. Luscombe; 9. Government, law and society R. Van Caenegem; 10. Kingship and empire Janet Nelson; 11. Church and papacy I. S. Robinson; 12. The twelfth-century renaissance D. E. Luscombe and G. R. Evans; Part V. Development: c.1150-c.1450: 13. Introduction: politics, institutions and ideas J. P. Canning; 14. Spiritual and temporal powers J. A. Watt; 15. Law: I. Law, legislative authority and theories of government, 1150-1300 K. Pennington; II. Law, sovereignty and corporation theory, 1300-1450 J. P. Canning; 16. Government Jean Dunbabin; 17. Community: I. Community, counsel and representation Jeannine Quillet; II. The conciliar movement Anthony Black; 18. The individual and society Anthony Black; 19. Property and poverty Janet Coleman; Conclusion J. H. Burns; Biographies; Bibliography; Index of names of persons; Index of subjects.