Jean Gerson is a figure of contradictions: at once a shrewd politician and a convinced mystic, a radical reformer and a conservative theologian, a university chancellor and a poet as well as a preacher, a humanist, and an extraordinarily prolific writer in both Latin and French. He was a complex man, and one whose thought changed and developed considerably over his career; yet, the contradictions in the man also offer a mirror on the tumultuous and confusing age in which he lived.

Jean Charlier de Gerson was born 14 December 1363 at Gerson-les-Barby in Champagne, the son of Arnoul le Charlier and Elizabeth la Chardenière. He was the oldest of twelve children, several of whom died in childhood. Of the remainder, many pursued religious vocations; Gerson remained especially close to his youngest brother, who later became a Celestine monk. All but one of the Charlier sons were named...