'… a work of great maturity and sophistication … to which students of twelfth-century religious life will turn again and again with fresh appreciation each time of its richness and wisdom … These studies will become foundational for future scholars of medieval religious life, and therefore merit careful, engaged reading - the highest mark of scholarly achievement.' John Van Engen, Journal of Eccclesiastical History

• List of illustrations; Preface; List of abbreviations; Part I. The Interpretation of Mary and Martha: 1. The sisters together; 2. The sisters distinguished; 3. The sisters apart; Part II. The Ideal of the Imitation of Christ: 4. The imitation of the divinity of Christ; 5. The imitation of the humanity of Christ; 6. The imitation of the body of Christ; 7. The late Middle Ages; Part III. The Orders of Society: 8. Introduction; 9. The early Middle Ages; 10. The eleventh and twelfth centuries; 11. From the twelfth century to the end of the Middle Ages; 12. Appendix: mediocres (mediani, medii) in the Middle Ages; Bibliography of secondary works; Index of manuscripts; Biblical index; General index.

'… a work of great maturity and sophistication … to which students of twelfth-century religious life will turn again and again with fresh appreciation each time of its richness and wisdom … These studies will become foundational for future scholars of medieval religious life, and therefore merit careful, engaged reading - the highest mark of scholarly achievement.' John Van Engen, Journal of Eccclesiastical History

• List of illustrations; Preface; List of abbreviations; Part I. The Interpretation of Mary and Martha: 1. The sisters together; 2. The sisters distinguished; 3. The sisters apart; Part II. The Ideal of the Imitation of Christ: 4. The imitation of the divinity of Christ; 5. The imitation of the humanity of Christ; 6. The imitation of the body of Christ; 7. The late Middle Ages; Part III. The Orders of Society: 8. Introduction; 9. The early Middle Ages; 10. The eleventh and twelfth centuries; 11. From the twelfth century to the end of the Middle Ages; 12. Appendix: mediocres (mediani, medii) in the Middle Ages; Bibliography of secondary works; Index of manuscripts; Biblical index; General index.