The Name of the Rose; by Umberto Eco.

Medieval times, upheavals and insecurities, monasteries and travelling monks, sects proliferate and people have visions and wish to reform the established decrepit decay, ordinary people serve and suffer horrendous punishments for ordinary normal behaviour, people who would rather hide knowledge and let darkness prevail for sake of faith and obedience to authorities in all matters.

A portrayal of those times that are past, thankfully.