Teofilo F. Ruiz Books

The book explores a transformative period in Castile from the late twelfth to mid-fourteenth century, highlighting significant changes in societal values regarding sin, intercession, and the self. It examines how these shifts influenced perceptions of property and identity among various social groups, particularly among mercantile elites, affluent farmers, lower nobility, clerics, and literary figures. This emerging "middling sort" began to establish new norms, reflecting a radical reordering of mental, spiritual, and physical spaces in the region.

Exploring the various methods by which Western society has sought to confront or evade its unsettling past, this work delves into the psychological, cultural, and philosophical implications of these attempts. It examines how historical traumas shape collective identity and influence contemporary thought, offering insights into the complexities of memory, guilt, and the quest for redemption. Through a critical lens, it encourages readers to reflect on their own relationship with history and the narratives that define them.

Provides a history of the Western Mediterranean from 400 AD--