Yes, you are absolutely right there is more to medieval theology than scholasticism, (I think I used the term because it is familiar to most, and is a term that evokes “medieval” theology for many people).

While I have read Bernard (Clairvaeux right? – oh and never mind my spelling – we slavic boys have a hell of a time with English let alone French!), Hilda, and the others – I personally could not abide the “cloud of unknowning” I spent most of the time screaming NO NO NO NO NO – but that’s for another discussion – grin); your point about their value and interest is well made – but I maintain that to “start” with these is like jumping in the middle of something – you have to spend some time catching up, finding your bearings. What is more the ideas raised in these wonderful works are not strictly speaking “building blocks”.

My point – in both specifiying late antique theology, and calling it “building blocks” was to say that the ideas of a few writers of the first 400 years of the church sets you up well for practically everything else. Moreover, this “body” of knowledge is accessible, and is the “common denomonator” across most Christian traditions, and theological schools of thought.