History of the Popes, Volume II: Their Church and State

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…The history of the renovated popedom would be but imperfectly understood, did we limit our attention to its centre only. Its essential importance is best perceived by observing its operations on the world in general… –Leopold von Ranke, Volume II, Book V–Counter-Reformation, 1836

History of the Popes: Their Church and State in three volumes, by German historian Leopold von Ranke, was first published in German in 1834-36, and translated into English by E. Fowler in 1901. Von Ranke described the papacy not only as a clerical institution, but also as a political power. In volume II (books V-VII), von Ranke recounts the Counter-Reformation, the period of Catholic resurgence beginning in 1545 with the Council of Trent in response to the Protestant Reformation. Although praised by many as a masterpiece, both Catholics and Protestants criticized this book as too biased. As was the case in his other books, von Ranke’s writing was based on eye-witness accounts, in this instance the use of private papers in Rome and Venice.