This book presents a revisionist examination of the development of European intellectual culture between the high middle ages and 1550. It draws particular attention to the roles of Marsilio Ficino and Erasmus and analyzes major aspects of the work of Aquinas, Scotus, and Ockham, before moving on to Petrarch, Valla, Pico della Mirandola, the 'devotio moderna', More, Luther, Calvin and their contemporaries. It establishes radically new perspectives on the Renaissance and the Reformation, and on the continuity between them. 'A refreshingly broad vision of the period.' Times Literary Supplement 'Massive and learned work ...great wealth of learning.' History 'one of the rare historical masterpieces in which intellectual clarity is combined with a fullness of nuance.' 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung' 'It is an important work and sets forth new constructs about Renaissance and Reformation that must be considered.' Marion Leathers Kuntz, 'American Historical Review' 'Levi's skilfully navigated intellectual journey is a tour de force.' Choice Anthony Levi was emeritus professor of the University of Saint Andrews, Scotland, editor of translations of Erasmus and Pascal, and author of biographies of Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIV.