This book explores the canonistic theories especially with conciliar theory, of Church government between c. 1140 and 1378.

Preface; List of abbreviations; Introductory: the conciliar theory and the Canonists; Part I. Decretists Theories of Church Goverment: 1. Pope and Church; 2. Pope and general council; 3. Pope and Cardinals; Part II. Aspects of Thirteenth-Century Ecclesiology: 4. Changing views of Church government; 5. The structure of a medieval ecclesiastical corporation; 6. The whole church as corporation; Part III. Conciliar Ideas in the Fourteenth Century: 7. John of Paris; 8. Conflicting criticisms of Papal monarchy; 9. The attitude of the academic Canonists; 10. Franciscus Zabarella; Conclusion; Appendices; List of works cited; Index.